Follow US Immigration and US Life: Thanksgiving in November, Christmas at the end of December, and the New Year holidays form the most "crowded" holiday season for Americans at the end and beginning of the year. During this time when people fully enjoy material and emotional comforts, many receive warmth from the donations of strangers.
The holiday season can be called a "concentrated version" of American charitable culture, with various ways and means of doing good.
First, donating money and goods is the most practical and mainstream approach.
On the eve of Thanksgiving this year, the Seattle Children's Research Institute, the University of Washington School of Law, and the Salvation Army each received astonishing gifts. Before passing away, 98-year-old Jack McDonald donated his entire estate, worth $188 million, to these three institutions, with his foundation providing annual grants from the income.
McDonald's name was not on any list of the wealthy. In his daily life, he would collect supermarket coupons, sometimes appeared in public wearing sweaters with holes in the elbows, and preferred to take the bus to attend alumni meetings at the University of Washington. In July of this year, he was hospitalized after a severe fall. When he heard the doctor say his head injury might be fatal, he did not forget to instruct the doctor not to use expensive brand-name drugs. However, friends and family said that over the past few decades, this "frugal" old man had donated to others hundreds of times.
Of course, the vast majority of people's donations are not this "grand." From streets, supermarkets, and shopping malls to the front of apartment buildings, people often encounter donation boxes and charity advertisements around the corner. In addition to holiday greetings from friends and family and merchant promotional information, letters or emails often contain forms from charitable organizations or institutions asking for generous contributions.
Like many charitable organizations, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., mails donation request cards to supporters every year before the holiday season. The donation amounts range from $15 to $100, which is not a large sum compared to the income levels of many American middle-class families. The head of the organization wrote on the card, "Every dollar you donate will be used to provide hot holiday meals to neighbors in need."
Do not underestimate the energy gathered from "small contributions." This local poverty-relief organization has been in service since 1980, collecting and distributing an average of 50 tons of food per day. Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, when families gather for "reunion dinners," are the busiest times for organizations like the "Food Bank."
Second, many kind-hearted people also "donate" their actions or brainpower.
On November 15 of this year, two weeks before Thanksgiving, a "Batkid" in a black mask, black cape, and black armor took to the streets of San Francisco to rescue "hostages," defuse "explosives," and fight "robbers." This was a charity event initiated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area, joining hands with San Francisco citizens to make "Batkid's" dream come true.
"Batkid" is 5 years old this year, his real name is Miles Scott, and he was diagnosed with leukemia 18 months after birth. He only recently left his hospital bed and considers "Batman" his idol. During "Batkid's" mission to punish evil, 20,000 citizens cheered and applauded for him. American media reported on this extensively. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee specially presented him with the "key" to the city. U.S. President Barack Obama posted a short video on social media to cheer him on.
The story did not end there. On December 7, "Batkid" suited up again to raise funds for charity to help more children fulfill their wishes. In addition, the Scott family has established a separate charitable fund, with the proceeds used to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and two other charitable organizations and medical centers that provided help for "Batkid's" treatment and dream fulfillment, as a way to give back to society.
Many ordinary people may not have the skills of "Batkid," but they still take action to do good. On the eve of Christmas, some companies or individuals spontaneously participate in activities like "Secret Santa" to help children from impoverished families fulfill their wishes.
A close friend of the reporter who works at a securities firm in Chicago joined this secret operation with her colleagues this year. Through the matchmaking of a charitable organization, she received a letter written by a little boy to "Santa Claus" and chose "Spider-Man" toys and airplane models for him according to the wishes listed in the letter. Like other "fake Santas," she was also delighted to receive a "thank-you gift" made by the recipient—a handmade Christmas tree greeting card.
Of course, the holiday season is just one window through which to observe the operation of charity in American society. Different people have different observations and reflections on charity, charitable organizations, and philanthropy. The extent of a person's kindness cannot be measured by any simple standard.
However, among the reasons for the formation of charitable culture in American society, two points are often mentioned and are worth reflecting on. First, in a global immigrant society like the United States, due to religious beliefs and other factors, many people believe they are beneficiaries of social resources and the help of others, and they also have a responsibility to give back to society. Second, charitable donations can be tax-deductible, which objectively provides people with more motivation, acting like a catalyst for doing good.
