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Greg Forbes Siegman (Founder of The 11-10-02 Foundation) is the real-life person upon whom The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson is based.
In June 2007, The Tug McGraw Foundation ordered copies of The First Thirty for its Board of Directors, Honorary Chairman Tim McGraw, his wife (Faith Hill), his band (Dancehall Doctors) and some other supporters. In July 2007, Greg was invited by Jennifer Brusstar, TMF's President, to go to a Tim McGraw & Faith Hill concert in Chicago, and to attend a private pre-show party where Tim, Faith & Co. would be performing for just 50 or so guests.
The story leading up to the book order & invitation, and what occurred that night, add up to one of our favorite stories about connecting dots and crossing paths. This entry into the Greg's Week section of www.GregForbes.com includes that story, along with some pictures and relevant links, as well as some of Greg's personal thoughts about the experience (in italics).
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In 1980, Greg got his first dog. Its playful 'free spirit' character reminded him of his favorite baseball player, Tug McGraw of the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, who displayed those same qualities -- so he named the dog, Tug.
It did not take long before Greg & his canine pal became inseparable. Until, tragically, the next year, Tug was killed in a hit-and-run.
The experience helped shape Greg's belief that you should give thought to leaving a legacy 'now instead of later just in case later never comes'. Over the next two decades, he became increasingly involved in volunteering and philanthropy.
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In 1998, Greg started The 11-10-02 Foundation. As stated on its website, 11-10-02 "was established to break down racial, cultural and social barriers while also providing grants and scholarships to students whose greatest qualities may not always be apparent on the surface, and to the schools which they attend." 11-10-02 represented Greg's thirtieth birthday and his belief that people can and should make a difference during their first thirty years.
The next year, coincidentally, Tug McGraw's son (and country music star) Tim McGraw came out with a song "My Next Thirty Years."
In 2003, after being diagnosed with brain cancer, Tug McGraw started The Tug McGraw Foundation. As stated on its website, TMF "was established to raise funds to enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors and their families by stimulating and facilitating research that addresses the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of the disease." For more on TMF, see www.TugMcGraw.org
Not long after TMF's creation, Tug passed away. On the bright side, just as happened when Tug the Dog left us far sooner than wished, the original Tug inspired those who loved him to give increasing thought to giving back. Following Tug's passing, one of his former teammate's wives, Jennifer Brusstar, became TMF's President. Tug's son, Tim, serves as TMF's Honorary Chairman.
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Greg's efforts to make a difference in the community -- and the lessons learned from the people and places encountered along the way -- became the basis for the book, The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson. His relationship with his dog, Tug, and the lesson he learned as a young boy from the painful loss, play a pivotal role in the story. To order a copy of The First Thirty here online, click here.
In addition to the 'Tug' connection, and the efforts to start a nonprofit foundation from the ground up, there are many parallels and instances of paths crossing between Greg's story (The First Thirty) and the story of the McGraw's. Another example is the use of athletics and entertainment (music) as ways to bring people together and make a difference. Another is that both stories highlight the inspiration we can take from someone fighting cancer ,
The picture to the left features Greg and one of his friends (Jarrett) who has since passed away from cancer - as well as the dog (Bill Clinton's) that helped connect the dots between them. (On an ironic side note: Greg and Jarrett met one day before this particular picture was taken, when they were among a handful of people recognized in Washington DC as honorees of the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Another person honored that year? Tim McGraw's wife, Faith Hill).
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In July 2007, The Tug McGraw Foundation ordered copies of The First Thirty for its Board of Directors and some top supporters as well as Tim, Faith, and the members of his band (The Dancehall Doctors).
If you'd like to order copies of The First Thirty for members of your Board, or staff, or top supporters/clients/donors/volunteers, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com A couple weeks later, Tim & Faith's 2007 summer tour (Soul 2 Soul) came to Chicago to perform two shows at the United Center (and a late-night show at the House of Blues to raise funds for charities, including their own, Neighbor's Keeper Foundation).
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Greg and a couple other guests were invited by TMF to come to the United Center a few hours before the concert. Two of them, a couple named Jenny and Glen, were among the most inspiring people Greg's ever met. Please consider supporting Jenny & Glen's great efforts to help out the Tug McGraw Foundation.
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They had a chance to get to know each other, and hang out with a member of Tim's band (Jeff) who is actively involved in TMF. They also got a chance to see some of what goes on backstage and out in the arena in the hours before the big show.
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They then joined some others at a pre-show party. During that time, the guests - about 50 in all - were treated to a special private performance by some of the great musicians who are part of the Tour, including Darren Smith of The Dancehall Doctors, plus Halfway to Hazard (left) and Lance Miller (below)
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"The guys were great. Everyone should check out their music. On a side note, Lance joked that he's waiting to get his own TV show. All joking aside...Lance and the guys from Halfway to Hazard, besides being great at music, were hilarious...and if any CMT execs are smart, they'll sign them up for a reality show documenting their tour across the country and rise in music."
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...and then, Tim & Faith joined in, singing songs and answering questions
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Tim's dog was there, too :)
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"To stand a couple feet away (literally) from people who were doing what it is they are among the best in the world at doing, as they did it for such a small group of us, was a surreal experience. It was such a small group there that I felt like Faith was practically singing in my ear!"
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At 8 pm, the 50 or so guests headed over to the main arena for the public concert. In all, there were about 20,000 people in attendance. The concert included some songs performed by a young rising star, Taylor Swift.
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She was followed by Faith & Tim and their bands. In all, they entertained the packed house for well over three hours.
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If you have never heard them live, you are missing out. Check the schedule for remaining dates.
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The songs from Faith & Tim that Greg listens to most: Breathe (from Faith) and My Next Thirty Years (from Tim).
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Greg first came to appreciate country music when he went to college in Louisiana ...a place which represents another two instances of paths crossing in this story.
One - Louisiana also happens to be where Tim McGraw was born and raised.
Two - Greg's nonprofit organization, The 11-10-02 Foundation, funds grants and scholarships for need-based students around the country. Two of the scholarships funded by The 11-10-02 Foundation support college students in Louisiana who are studying Pre-Veterinary Medicine. They are named in honor of Greg's old dog -- The 11-10-02 Foundation Tug Scholarships :)
(Speaking of the Gulf Coast... please check out www.ProjectThankYou.com - costs nothing to do. Easy to do as an individual and/or as a class/company!)
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The day after the concert, with Tug McGraw on his mind, Greg went for a long drive to visit his childhood home where his dog's ashes were buried beneath a small bush 26 years ago. The visit was the first time he had ever returned since his family sold the house.
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Special thanks to The Tug McGraw Foundation, Jennifer Brusstar, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill & everyone else involved in the Soul 2 Soul Tour!
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Copyright & TM 1996-2007. IdeaList Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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