Individuals, civic organizations, corporations, and churches traditionally spotlight opportunities to help others during the holidays. Yes, groups seek to help others all during the year, but organized and random unselfish acts are Christmas traditions. In the list of 26 Christmas traditions from A to Z, U is for Unselfish Acts.
is for Unselfish Acts.
Unselfish acts of kindness have always existed during the Christmas season by both individuals and groups, making this the oldest Christmas tradition for many.
"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time."
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Organized Unselfish Acts
Across America, national philanthropic groups such as Junior League of Women, Kiwanis Club, and Salvation Army work year round to plan annual Christmas season drives to raise funds for needy families. The list of reputable groups raising money for charity is quite lengthy which means anyone can find a legitimate group to which to donate. Always research any group soliciting funds to verify they are donating a large percentage of collected funds to their designated recipients.
In addition to large national groups, smaller local organizations also create fund-raising events for special causes, often identifying local recipients for money raised.
Christmas Village is one of the
oldest charitable Christmas events in
Nashville, Tennessee.
This year, 2023, is the 62nd year for the one-stop shopping event where you can find gifts for everyone in your life. The event is run entirely by volunteers from the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club in the Nashville area.
Above is a photo of this year's co-chairwomen, Riley Gulbronson and Rachel Murdock, being interviewed about Christmas Village by WKRN-TV, Channel 2 / ABC, local Nashville News channel.
Christmas Village benefits several causes. The biggest cause is the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Hearing and Speech Center in Nashville. Christmas Village also donates to the Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute at Vanderbilt which helps patients with traumatic brain injury. A third cause that receives donations from the Christmas Village is Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Rachel Murdock, on the left of Santa, has been a co-chair for two years. Like hundreds of thousands of people across the world who work to raise funds for their special causes, Rachel has a special connection to one of the causes that benefits from the Christmas Village event.
Rachel is a patient at the Bill Wilkerson Hearing and Speech Center. When she was just 13 months old she received her first pair of hearing aids from the Center. Traumatically she lost total hearing in 2020 and received cochlear implants in 2020 and 2021 at the Hearing Center which restored her hearing.
Rachel is my cousin, and I am very proud of her and the work she does with the Christmas Village fund raising event. She is an amazing teacher in the Greater Nashville Area and exemplifies the spirit of achieving one's goals regardless of challenging circumstances in life.
Light the World | Giving Machine
Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints, and partnered with charitable organizations across the world, the Light the World | Giving Machines are located throughout the United States and other countries.
You choose the charity you want to support. Give goats, clean water, toys, and more to those in need in a unique giving experience.
Random Unselfish Acts
December Kindness 2023 is a calendar of suggested acts of kindness shared on social media during the Christmas season. The December 1st action is "Spread kindness and share the December calendar with others." Twenty-seven of the "action for Happiness" suggestions do not require money, but will make a difference in the lives of others. Unselfish acts that spread goodwill!
Posted prominently in a restaurant in the area of Opelika and Auburn, Alabama, the prepaid receipts can easily be taken and are good reminders to others to add their own unselfish act of a prepaid meal for someone who is hungry.
Unselfish acts during the Christmas season is a tradition that resonates with the meaning of the season.
May your Christmas be bright and filled with the joy of the season as you celebrate the holiday with traditions special to you.
