The tradition of the "silent guest" traces back to the 1940s after World War II. Americans were asked to set a place at their bountiful holiday dinner tables for a Silent Guest, which symbolized someone in need — usually a child.
In 1947, former Massachusetts Governor Robert F. Bradford led a silent guest program to encourage Americans to donate the cash equivalent of one setting of a Thanksgiving meal to needy children, families and individuals in post-war Europe.
Editorials in newspapers across the country followed this lead and asked Americans to share their holiday's abundance with those in need throughout the world, especially children.
SOS Children's Villages was founded nearly 60 years ago with these same goals. Today, SOS provides loving homes, families and nutritious meals to over 73,000 children in 132 countries.
Please consider sponsoring a child today.
