By Jeff Bradford, EO Nashville Board Member and CEO of the Bradford Group

Nashville is the 5^th most charitable city in the nation, so it’s perhaps no surprise that Nashville entrepreneurs are big on giving back to the community during the most “giving” time of the year. Here’s a sample of what companies from EO Nashville are doing this holiday season:

• Advance Financial is hosting a company talent show, and company is making a donation the winner’s charity of choice will. The company is also giving employees paid time off to participate in volunteer opportunities with local organizations, like  Nashville Rescue Mission, Youth Villages and Youth Encouragement Services. Plus, they are collecting at least 7,000 of the items most-needed by local food pantries.

• Anchor Investments asked clients to nominate their charities of choice. From among those submitted, Anchor’s Charitable Giving Committee will choose five nonprofits to receive US$1,000 donations for each.

• DWC Construction Company sets aside US$5,000-10,000 a year to donate to charity. The 14 management teams select one or two charities to donate to, and they enjoy the opportunity to direct the company’s charitable contributions for the year.

• GHP “adopted” a family in need for Christmas, providing a single mother and her two children with gifts for the holiday season.

• HawsGoodwin Financial organized its second annual clothing drive for Dress For Success, a nonprofit support network that helps women achieve economic independence by providing the tools they need, including professional attire. The firm held a month-long donation drive, collecting from clients, neighbors and friends, and they hosted an open house for FemCity Nashville’s members to drop off gently used professional attire. They also raised money by participating in two running events: the 5K Jingle Bell Run to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation and the GraceWorks’ Turkey Trot 5K that raised money to provide family support, instruction programs, seasonal needs and hunger prevention in Williamson County. Additionally, HawsGoodwin Financial is donating to Salvation Army, American Heart Association and Monroe Harding Children’s Home.

• Jones Therapy Services is offering free babysitting for kids with special needs so that their families can Christmas shop. They’re also doing a “Sensitive Santa” day so that children with special needs can visit with Santa in a safe, calm and understanding environment.

• Instead of buying pricey gifts for top clients, The Levine Group is sending out holiday cards asking each client to select a charity that the company will then donate to.

• The Rage and Revv are partnering with Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, donating a percentage of sales from a dedicated clothing collection and hosting an adoption day in their store.

There was one common thread when asked why these businesses choose to give. Simply put, it’s just the right thing to do. We, as business owners, are fortunate to have wonderful jobs, employees, health and the support of our community behind us. But others aren’t so lucky. It’s our responsibility to spread our “time, talents and treasures,” in the words of Anchor Investment’s Micah Lacher, throughout the community. And maybe a little holiday cheer along the way.