Monthly Service Challenge
Each month, a new mission will be posted as motivation for us all to roll up our sleeves and serve our communities. Be sure to keep the Office of the First Lady in the loop by posting on social media using #TennesseeServes for a chance to be recognized as a Service Spotlight. Grab your friends, family, classmates or colleagues and join us as Tennessee Serves!
November

This holiday season, families across Tennessee will celebrate all that we have been given through the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. God has richly blessed Tennessee and each of us that call this wonderful state home, and it is during this season that we all have a special opportunity to notice the needs of our neighbors right here in Tennessee.
During the month of December, Tennessee Serves is encouraging Tennesseans to give back to those hurting and in need in their own community. There is no better way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season than by giving back to our neighbors. There are so many ways, big and small, you and your family can give back. Check out a couple Ways to Serve for some practical ways you can get involved in Tennessee Serves’ December challenge.
Ways to Serve
On November 28, First Lady Maria Lee launched the 12 Days of Giving to highlight Tennessee nonprofits and showcase real ways Tennesseans can get involved in the awesome work being done right here in our state. Learn more about the 12 Days of Giving here.
Simple Ways You can Give Back this Holiday Season:
- Support a low-income child at Christmas through an Angel-Tree program
- Gather a group to sing carols at your local senior center or nursing home
- Send Christmas cards to military overseas who cannot be with loved ones during the holidays
- Leave snacks and waters by your mailbox or front door for the servicemen and women working hard to ensure on-time delivery of all of your holiday packages
- Clean out your winter clothing, and donate gently used coats, gloves, scarves, etc. to a local shelter or foster care wrap-around closet
- Send a card to someone you know who recently lost a loved one
- Deliver a hot beverage to those working in the cold – police officers, school traffic officers, mail carriers, etc.
- Support Tennessee nonprofits like Second Harvest Food Bank by purchasing ‘gifts that give back’ for your loved ones this year
Opportunities to Get Involved with Tennessee Non-Profits in December:
- NASHVILLE, TN: Monday – Friday, various times: Take a shift in Mother to Mother’s warehouse to sort, fold clothing, and set up for their upcoming community distributions for vulnerable infants, children, and families
- WAVERLY, TN: December 2, 7:30am – 10:00am CT: Volunteer at a One Generation Away mobile food pantry event to provide basic nourishment needs to those recovering from the catastrophic 2021 floods
- CHATTANOOGA, TN: December 9, 8:15am – 10:30am: Pack and distribute Christmas baskets with Signal Mountain Social Services for neighbors in need
- CHATTANOOGA, TN: Various dates and times: Serve a meal at the CHATT Foundation’s Community Kitchen, which provides 3 meals a day, every day of the year to hungry individuals and families
- KNOXVILLE, TN: December 14, various times: Support Knox Area Rescue Ministries by volunteering to help prepare gifts and necessities that they will distribute in local homeless camps to offer hope to residents
- JOHNSON CITY, TN: December 8-9, various times: Assist low-income neighbors in shopping for gifts for their children at Good Samaritan Ministries’ Be A Light Marketplace
- MEMPHIS, TN: December 4-8, various times: Sort toys for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis annual holiday toy drive
- MEMPHIS, TN: December 1-6, various times: Join Youth Villages as they wrap Christmas gifts for youth in foster care in their Holiday Heroes workshop
- MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS TN: Monday – Friday, various times: Contact your local MyRide chapter to sign up to provide transportation to home-bound seniors in your area for doctor’s appointments, grocery trips, and other errands
Remember to post on social media about how you participated in this month’s challenge using #TennesseeServes for a chance to be featured as one of our service spotlights!