Seasons Greetings from DanceBands.Com
Ringing in the Holidays with the Spirit of Giving
At DanceBands.com we love the holiday season. Our bands keep busy as they rush from one event to the next, providing entertainment at corporate parties, weddings, and community events. We're so grateful to be able to spread holiday cheer and share in the joy of each festive celebration.
We also love how the holidays bring out the best in people. It’s a season of the year where we think a little bit more about others and try a little harder to reach out to those in need. The feeling that comes from helping people is like nothing else and it got us thinking about all the wonderful things people do at this time of year. Some of the gestures are huge while some are small acts of kindness, yet hearing each of these stories fills our heart with the spirit of the season.
Take this story of a man caught up in all the travel delays due to the bad weather right before Christmas. His family got separated at the Chicago airport and he wound up alone on a flight with his now cranky eight-month-old infant. Exhausted, as only air travel with a baby can make you, the man settled into his seat and tried to ignore the irritated glances he was getting from those around him who were frustrated at his son's crying. To his surprise, his seat mate kindly offered to hold the baby for a bit, opening her arms wide. The little man crawled into her lap and promptly fell asleep. The neighbor then offered to continue to hold the baby so the man could take a nap. That simple act made the weary traveler write, "The kindness of this stranger was truly refreshing on what was quickly becoming one of the worst days in a long time. There is still hope!"
Or how about this guy. Damon Burton grew up eating free and reduced lunches provided by the schools. Now in his thirties, Burton owns a website development and marketing company and he was looking for a way to make a difference this holiday season. Looking back to his own experiences, he decided to make a donation to some of Layton, Utah's most needy schools. But not just any donation. He specified that he wanted to pay off the overdue balances for kids in the District. His donation of enough money to cover 5,714 meals (that already fed hungry kids) is enough to make even the Grinch's heart grow a couple of sizes.
Sometimes the opportunity to give just drops in your lap, maybe with the ring of the phone. Colonel Harry Shoup was working his high pressure job at the NORAD command center in 1955 when his red phone rang. Since it was only supposed to ring when the U.S. was under attack, Shoup must have been anxious when he picked up the phone. Imagine his surprise to hear a small voice ask to speak to Santa Claus. Because of a misprint in the local paper, his top secret hotline number had been given out as the number for the North Pole. Rather than acting outraged, he assigned a couple of airmen to answer the phone and play Santa. From this typo, NORAD's Santa Tracker was born. A simple opportunity seized became a tradition that has endured for 50 years.
This year at DanceBands.com we felt inspired to help out a local crisis center. In partnership with Voodoo Productions we donated 60 blankets, boxes of stocking stuffers, and some Christmas entertainment to a shelter which helps victims of violence, mostly women and children.
No matter your circumstances, we can all feel the spirit of the holidays more fully if we take the time to help our fellow man. We hope you find peace, love, and hope in this wonderful season. Thanks for letting us share it with you.
