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"Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege." - John D. Rockefeller Jr. |
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"The love we give away is the only love we keep." - Elbert Hubbard |
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"No one has ever become poor by giving." - Anne Frank |
Big Brothers History
Big Brothers of Nashville is one of the oldest local charities in our city.
In 1912, Mr. J.H. Allison, the business manager for the Nashville Tennessean, looked out on the city's needy residents with compassion and wondered how he could use his influence for good. Allison met with Montague Ross, the president of the Businessman's Association, and the two came up with a plan. Local businessmen would become "newsies for a day," selling a special issue of the newspaper, and they would use the proceeds to deliver baskets of food to the city's poorest families.
In the 1920's and 1930's surplus funds allowed the organization to fund other assistance - artificial teeth, prosthetic limbs, coal, medicine, furniture. Big Brothers furnished Nashville's first two kidney dialysis machines to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Until 1955, the organization was entirely volunteer based; in 1955, an office was opened, a staff person hired and a Board of Directors formed. Representatives of civic groups, churches, and service organizations joined the board to help the less fortunate.
Big Brothers' History – A Timeline:
| 1912 |
Founded by two compassionate Nashville businessmen who were concerned about Nashville’s needy and wanted to be a solution. From 1912-1955, the organization was entirely volunteer based. |
| December 1912 |
The first Big Brothers Special Edition was sold, and funds were used to buy baskets of food for Nashvillians in need. |
| 1920's-1930's | Surplus funds allowed the organization to fund life-changing assistance including artificial teeth and prosthetic limbs. |
| 1930's | Big Brothers furnished Nashville's first two kidney dialysis machines to Vanderbilt Hospital. |
| 1930's-1940's | Big Brothers provided for individual needs. Items included coal, medicine, and furniture. In one amazing story, Big Brothers bought a horse and cart to allow a severley disabled man to make a living. They also funded Nashville's penicillin bank and bought incubators for premature babies born at local hospitals. |
| 1955 | Big Brothers opens an office, hires the first staff person, and forms a Board of Directors |
| 1955–present | Big Brothers is served by a Board of Directors represented by civic groups, churches, synagogues, service organizations and other civic and business people who are interested in helping the less fortunate. |
| 1980 | First Rudolph’s Red Nose Run precedes the Annual Christmas Parade in downtown Nashville to benefit Big Brothers of Nashville |
| 2008 | First Big Tribute fundraising dinner held at the downtown Sheraton honoring Jo Walker Meador and Andrew Benedict. |
| Today | Big Brothers continues the Special Edition, Holiday Food Box, Red Nose Run, and Big Tribute traditions. A professional social worker and the agency's executive director work closely with the board of directors to assist more than 3000 Nashville residents every year through the holiday food box, utility assistance, and emergency assistance programs. |
How Can I Help?
Give
You may also donate to Big Brothers of Nashville through Giving Matters.
Donate to Project Help through the NES website.
If you have any questions about donating, please contact info@bigbrothersofnashville.org.
You can find more ways to donate on our Support Us page!
Volunteer
Complete our questionnaire and we'll notify you of opportunities to lend a hand.
Volunteer Ideas
- Assist with office needs
- Help put together mailings
- Join our Holiday Food Box delivery team
- Volunteer at Rudolph's Red Nose Run
- Be part of an event committee
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