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If there’s one thing about the South that rings true, it’s that Southern tradition is deeply rooted in the spirit of giving. Our proverb at Modern South is “live rooted,” and just as much as we love to highlight the places you can wine, dine, and wander around the South, we want to place special recognition on the organizations that make giving the very core of their businesses and show you how you can participate.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation will forever hold a very special place in my heart. When my younger brother was just two years old, he was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). After many years of hospital stays, emergency room visits, and relentless treatments, he was visited by two lovely “wish granters.” These individuals come to homes, talk with families, and help children eligible for a Make-A-Wish trip identify what they want to do and then coordinate the logistics with Make-A-Wish. The children and their families who are granted wishes incur zero expenses during these trips. After a firsthand experience of seeing just how much the Make-A-Wish Foundation does for these children and their families, whether their wishes are a celebration trip of remission or a final memory, I can say with certainty that every penny or minute spent on this organization is making a difference.
How to Give: Financial donations can be made here. Additionally, you can donate airline miles, as 75% of the wishes involve airfare If you’re interested in a community-based effort, hosting fundraisers and workplace giving are good places to start. Some chapters also accept in-kind donations. Contact your local chapter to see how you can donate, get involved, or even train to become a wish granter.
The Lily Pad Cafe
Tucked in a corner of Ridgeland, Mississippi, is The Lily Pad. On the outside, it looks like a charming cafe perfect for grabbing lunch, but on the inside, you’ll find they’re serving a lot more than their delicious daily specials. After co-founder Kirsten Lape’s daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome, she began a lifelong mission of spreading awareness and changing the stereotypical paths set for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. For nearly two years, The Lily Pad has been training these young adults on how to take the next steps in their lives and obtain employment within the restaurant and hospitality industries. Go in, grab a table, and leave with your heart just as full as your belly.
How to Give: The best way to support The Lily Pad is by patronizing the restaurant. Your dollars support their education efforts, and you also give their intern students the opportunity to build skills in real time. If you’re not planning on being in the area any time soon, you can also donate money, Amazon wishlist items, and more here.
Nashville Children’s Alliance
For 34 years, the Nashville Children’s Alliance has provided streamlined, trauma-informed care to children who have experienced or witnessed abuse and violence in conjunction with medical professionals, court officials, prosecutors, child protective services, and law enforcement. Through forensic interviews, family advocacy, and clinical therapy, the Nashville Children’s Alliance pursues its mission to bring safety, healing, and hope to all children. By giving families ways to navigate these difficulties with professional help, they are supported, connected to needed services, and given the support to heal and work toward a better future.
Pro Tip: Our friends at Noko Nashville donate 1% of their annual profits here.
How to Give: There are many ways to support the Nashville Children’s Alliance, whether that be through financial donations, volunteer work, advocacy, or event attendance. Community involvement, in any role, is crucial to responding to and preventing abuse. Learn more about how you can give, create an advocacy event, or receive specialized response training here.
Cakes4Kids
If you’re a baker at heart, I can tell you there is no greater joy than whipping up a treat and delivering it to a child who thought no one would remember to celebrate their birthday. At Cakes4Kids, the motto is simple: every child deserves to be celebrated with a special treat on their special days. After filling out the online registration form and attending a volunteer orientation, you can find requests within your city’s chapter and bake celebratory cakes and sweets for the youths who otherwise would not have been given the opportunity to blow out any candles. Help remind a child they are loved, seen, remembered, and celebrated by locating your city’s chapter here.
How to Give: Don’t worry, if baking is not your strong suit, there are plenty of ways to help show these children they matter. You can offer financial assistance, gift stock or donor-advised funds, donate supplies, and even host an online fundraiser.
Make it a Family (or Friendship) Affair
Coming together with family members, clubs, loved ones, and more during the holidays creates the best memories. If you want to turn your next get-together into a give-back celebration, here are some ways we love to do that.
Birthday Boxes for Food Banks
I’ve recently been flooded with women showing how to make “birthday cake boxes” to donate to shelters and food pantries. Fill a 9×13 disposable foil pan with the following: one box of cake mix, one can of complimentary frosting, a 12oz can of soda (colas for chocolate, lemon-lime for vanilla), and a few celebration extras (candles, sprinkles, party hats, napkins, etc.). Close the lid, and a family facing food insecurity can celebrate with your help.
The Angel Tree Program
If gift-giving is your love language, locate an Angel Tree near you. You can select a child or family to shop for and help one less child wake up with no gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Play with the Pups
Furry friends deserve a squeeze around the neck too. Round up your posse, find a local shelter, and see how you can volunteer to love on, walk, or bathe animals as they search for their forever home.
For more on life in the South, click here.
