The Gift of Giving
More than any other time of the year, December is the month for giving. Between the holiday traditions with family and friends and the year-end mailings and tax incentives that motivate charitable donations, the emphasis on giving can feel overwhelmingly transactional. Yet, beneath it all, these acts of giving lift the spirits of both the giver and the receiver and let people and organizations know that they are loved and appreciated.
A great example of the power of giving to make people feel good is unfolding locally at Lee Gilman Builders. Wanting to express gratitude for their employees, the owners created a fund at Spur that allocates a generous amount to their longstanding employees for granting to local nonprofits. Since learning about it, their employees have been buzzing with conversations at their job sites about community needs and the missions of local organizations. Individually and collectively, the employees understand that they have been given an opportunity to do good in the community. In turn, they feel valued, trusted, empowered, and inspired.