National Philanthropy Day

Local Philanthropist Creates National Day of Volunteer Recognition

by Carrie S. Brooks

At 30,000 feet in the air, you really have time to think.

Countless ideas probably are formulated everyday in the seats of airplanes aroundthe world. In 1981, on a plane home from Minnesota, a Newport Beach attorney had an idea about giving thanks. Five years later that idea was proclaimed by the President of the United States in front of a swarm of cameras and media. The idea was National Philanthropy Day and the date was Nov. 15, 1986. "For the first time in our nation’s history, a day has been specifically designated to pay tribute to this fine American tradition," said then President Reagan. "It’s when people are helping one another, not because they are taxed or coerced into it, but because they want to. That concern for one’s fellow man becomes part of a nation’s soul."

Thirteen years later, the nation is still seeking food for its soul through giving. National Philanthropy Day commemorates all Americans who give their time, energy and resources to help their communities. Throughout history, philanthropy is woven into the American fabric. From John Winthrop’s Model of Christian Charity to the Puritans in 1630 to the creation of the first free school for the deaf in 1817 to the establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961, the love of humankind — or philanthropy — exemplifies American tradition.

National Philanthropy Day was the vision of Douglas Freeman, a local estate-planning attorney and an active philanthropist. After giving a presentation to a group in Minnesota about giving back, Freeman contemplated how to say thank you to those spurred to action by his words.

"On my way home, it occurred to me that we don’t say thanks to our volunteers," said Freeman. "Not only on a local level, but the nation as a whole does a poor job in honoring those who donate their time and resources."

Freeman gives credit for his own philanthropic spirit primarily to his parents. "I have been so blessed in my life. I had an incredible family. We didn’t have a lot money, but we had everything we needed. I had an overwhelming need to give back. Anyone as fortunate as I was should give back."

His campaign started as a letter to then Chief of Staff Ed Meese. No response. He didn’t give up. He wrote more letters. In 1982, he put together a three-day conference on philanthropy and was able to generate additional support for his cause. Next stop: Washington, D.C.

"I thought my idea was so logical, that a bill could implemented in a week," said Freeman. "It took a little longer." Aside from needing Congressional pre-approval for a vote on the bill, Freeman needed to raise funds for his campaign. He wrote more letters. Four thousand more letters to be exact. He even had a song written. Said Freeman, "Our goal was to have the event celebrated in as many communities as possible across the country. We finally got it through both (Congressional) houses in October 1996, and the day before the press conference, we found out that President Reagan would be there."

The first National Philanthropy Day included all types of events, lunches, dinners, concerts, festivals and radio events. All in the name of acknowledging the efforts of volunteers and philanthropists. This year, the day will be celebrated in all 50 states by more than 40,000 people on November 15.

Doug Freeman and his wife, Lynn, say this day is the least we can do to thank all the people who give their time and resources to causes such as education, charities and the arts. But it’s also meant to inspire others to pitch in.

"Everyone in a position of good fortune has an obligation to give back," he said. "We all owe someone for that good fortune. Someone helped along the way and we owe it to those people to help someone else."

In addition to many charitable efforts, the Freemans give to a scholarship for the arts. The prerequisite? In exchange for the help extended to the recipient, they must extend it to someone else. Freeman has never checked up on his scholarship beneficiaries, but he’s sure they did the right thing.

Most importantly, Freeman wants to instill in his children the lessons he learned as a child from his own parents, "Part of what I do is an example to my children. When you give back, you will only feel better about yourself, which radiates through to every aspect of your life." he said. "If we don’t put back more into the community than we take out, we are leaving it morally bankrupt."

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