From One Generation to the Next: How to Start Your Family’s Own “Go-Giver” Tradition This Holiday Season
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Nancy and Chip roach
From One Generation to the Next: How to Start Your Family’s Own “Go-Giver” Tradition This Holiday Season
Article submitted by Chip Roach, CFI Board Member
It began with a small book of that name. My wife Nancy and I hosted a luncheon for our family at Christmas time 2012. We gave each family a copy of this thought-provoking book, “The Go-Giver".
The target was to spread the spirit of giving (& receiving) throughout the “3rd generation” of the combined Oliver/Roach family. This book had captivated us…we wanted its message to bring the family closer together through active philanthropy.
Five $50 bills were sent in the mail right after Thanksgiving to each of the families for distribution by the youngsters in that family. Give to someone who needs it. No rules other than that. Report due by mid-December at the luncheon.
Why the 3rd generation? They were the future leaders and were the right age to believe in that spirit of giving (& even Santa) which should be featured in this November/December time of year. They would be fascinated by $50 bills coming in the mail. And teachable. And, grateful to be receiving…and to be giving.
The tradition has continued since 2012. Last year – December 2024 – there were 40 family members attending in-person and 6 appeared in video presentations on the big screen at the dining room of the Inn at Villanova. The youngest was 3; the oldest was 29 years old.
The stories and presentations have varied over the years. Some acts involved those up-close-and-personal people they knew and (at the other end of the spectrum) to organizations here and all over the globe. Many instances of matching gifts (some from the families themselves; some from the corporations where they work) …that’s hopeful.
The second piece of this family acting out the practice of philanthropy- a joint family gift to the same charity for the past 8 years…Home of the Sparrow. Each member donates “One dollar for each year on the earth” …it amounts to over $2,000 each year.
Occasionally, some members of the family join a “day of service” with “The Sparrow” …and/or sponsor their winter fundraising gala and the spring golf tournament.
The learning has been broad and deep inside the family. It’s a natural activity and part of the Christmas holiday season. The benefits of giving go to both the “Go-Givers” and the recipients.
Chip Roach
CFI Board Member
November 2025
The extended Oliver/Roach family gathering for the Go-giver luncheon December 2024