Seasonal Hospitality: Chapter 1 - Causes We Support

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. 

 ~ Charles Dickens

In the midst of all of the chaos that accompanies every holiday season - from travel, busy party schedules, end-of-year business, and, of course, the ENDLESS ads encouraging us to BUY everything in sight - it is inspiring to observe true hospitality in our community of friends, family and business colleagues.

Hospitality ~ the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly generous way ~ is key to our lifestyle, and a trait we value in others.

We highlighted a lifestyle mindset of entertaining hospitality before - peek at The (Louisville) Art of Hospitality for a refresh.

For the next few weeks, please share some holiday spirit as we shine a light on the hospitality that we see around us this season, and the hospitality we wish to share with special friends.



Chapter 1 - Causes We Support

We are BIG believers in giving back - or at a minimum, making the effort to contribute in terms of time....or money...or SPIRIT.  Following the mindset of Charles Dickens, we're sharing some of the great causes supported by the savvy host, and SavvyHostMarket.

What is extraordinary about the focus of these organizations?  We applaud their mission - helping others to add value to their lives, building a better life for themselves and their families, and creating community.

We believe in these organizations - and find the time to open our hearts and lend our valuable time to support them.  We encourage your hospitality to flow for them, or others of your choice, during this holiday season.

• Wish Upon a Wedding - Wish Upon a Wedding is the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances regardless of sexual orientation.  Our organization offers couples a chance to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health or other serious issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.  Follow them! @WishUponaWedding

• Junior League of Chicago - an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Follow them! @JuniorLeagueChi

• Children's Clinic (Oak Park, IL) - sponsored by the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society, the clinic has provided health care to children for over 94 years. What began in 1916 as a volunteer based community organization has grown into a thriving clinic that serves thousands of underserved children from 50 Cook County west suburban communities and Chicago. They deliver top quality dental, medical and social services to children from infancy to age 18.

• Bright Endeavours - Bright Endeavors is a nonprofit social enterprise committed to helping inner city, homeless and at-risk young women, between the ages of 16 - 25, gain the necessary skills to become self-sufficient, successful adults. Utilizing innovative business enterprise principles, Bright Endeavors assists young women to make positive life changes that lead to a strong sense of:
  
  
  -- self through leadership development training and career exploration
  -- achievement through transitional work experience, work place goals and outcomes and performance reviews
  -- independence through financial management skills and financial planning
  -- direction through short-term and long-term personal and professional goal setting and permanent job placement
  Follow them! @BrightEndeavors

• Purple Asparagus - Purple Asparagus is a non-profit dedicated to bringing families back to the table by promoting and enjoying all the things associated with good eating.  Purple Asparagus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.  Follow them! @PurpleAsparagus

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How are you offering charitable hospitality during this holiday season?  Please share and inspire others!