These are questions that speak to who we are and who we want to be. They are questions that speak to our better nature, to our hopes and not our fears, to our dreams and not our limits. Even in today's sometimes cynical times, we want to believe in the best in us. We cheer the stories of neighbors helping neighbors. We celebrate together when a community comes together to rescue those in need.
Charity is as much a part of our history as freedom or justice or independence.
Native Americans gave to the first settlers in Jamestown and Plymouth. This giving created the tradition of Thanksgiving. In the earliest days of our nation, Ben Franklin was one of a number of Americans who established small trusts or foundations. In the ghettos of the industrial age, Jane Addams founded Hull House to serve the mentally ill and Lillian Wald established the Henry Street Settlement to serve the poor. Important as these gifts are, the fact is Americans know you don't have to be a billionaire to be charitable or generous.