This is the time of year when we get asked left and right to donate for different causes, whether it's for charitable purposes, fundraising or just to help out a stranger in need. For some reason, we find ourselves helping out in one way or another. Why?
Perhaps it's because we feel that it's harder to say no due to the holiday spirit. Or maybe it's because it's the end of the year and we understand how hard, or how great of a year we had and we're more sympathetic to those around us that need help. I like to believe it's just because we're all human beings and deep down we have a crazy desire of wanting to take care of each other.
The Cleveland Indians and their food partner, Delaware North Companies have that same desire and recently flexed their charitable arms by hosting the "Day of Giving" event at the Terrace Club at Progressive Field. The event was a way for the Indians front office to give back to the community that supports them through thick and thin each year.
The Indians invited clients from four local non-profits to come eat a free Thanksgiving dinner up at the Terrace Club, a high class restaurant at Progressive Field that looks over the field. The meal was buffet style and had all of the Thanksgiving favorites including turkey, stuffing, ham, cranberries and much more!
Each non-profit brought about 75 individuals or families in need that would not normally be able to enjoy a home cooked meal with all of the fixings. The groups, Our Lady of the Wayside, Guidestone, Shoes and Clothes for Kids and Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, were given 5-star service throughout the event. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Cleveland Indians owner, Paul Dolan and President Mark Shapiro--who also took their coats and escorted them inside.
The guests were served their beverages and their meals by other Indians executives including General Manager, Chris Antonetti, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio and Senior Vice President of Finance Ken Stefanov (pictured below). There were also live bands to entertain and, of course, an appearance by the team mascot Slider. 
"Thanksgiving is a most meaningful holiday. It gives us pause to appreciate the truly important gifts in life," said Bob DiBiasio, Indians Sr. VP of Public Affairs. "All of us here at the Indians and Delaware North Companies truly enjoyed bringing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to more than 300 of our friends at Our Lady of Wayside, Shoes and Clothes for Kids, the Boys and Girls of Cleveland and Guidestone."
The request to help others is always going to be there. It's our responsibility as citizens of the community to make the effort to lend a hand. In the end, we should all find ourselves dropping coins into the kettle, bringing in cans of food for the employee food drive, or like the Cleveland Indians, inviting 300 guests over for a nice, home cooked Thanksgiving Dinner!