This Week's Speaker Presentation

We heard from Alex Sheen, who started the group "Because I Said I Would" (http://becauseisaidiwould.com/). Alex spoke movingly (and received a standing ovation) about how a movement has inspired people to pledge, and honor, their word to make the world better one promise at a time.

According to the website, Alex's "father died of small cell lung cancer on September 4th, 2012. His father was good with his promises, so Alex titled his father’s eulogy “because I said I would” and created the promise card in his memory. Eventually Alex would decide to resign from his corporate position in order to advance because I said I would‘s mission.

Alex now works to better of humanity through the importance of a promise in what little ways he can. It started by waking up early before going to work and handwriting letters to people thanking them for requesting promise cards. This dedication continued to develop as he began fulfilling charitable promises. These promises include getting 100 tickets to Disneyland for children with cancer and walking 245 miles across the entire state of Ohio in 10 days to raise awareness for the victims of sexual violence (a promise he made to Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight," who were held prisoner in Cleveland for years in a dark chapter in the city's history.

Alex asked that we not video him, wanting the focus to be on "Because I Said I Would," and not himself. You can, however, see Alex in this video, if you want to hear his inspirational message. Visit the "Because I Said I Would" website to see more amazing stories of promises kept.