When a group of young World War II veterans returned home in 1946 to White Bluff, they brought with them memories of the hunger and deprivation that so many of them had seen overseas that had been caused by the war. Children and the elderly had been the most affected. They were determined not to allow the same sort of affliction at home that they had seen abroad. They organized American Legion Post 140, and at Christmas time of 1946 made the first collection for Big Brothers of White Bluff by means of a paper sale.

The proceeds of this sale went to buy food baskets for the needy and to give fruit baskets to those who were elderly, lonely, sick, or shut in. This initial effort was very generous rewarded by the citizens of the White Bluff community, and has continued uninterrupted ever since. Its continued success has been due to the kindness, empathy, and generosity of the contributors and the large number of volunteers who freely give of their time and talents. No paid solicitors or administrators have ever been hired, nor are there any plans ever to do so. This programs has long been the premier local charity in the White Bluff area, because all of the money collected is used in southeastern Dickson County and southwestern Cheatam County and none goes to out-of-town offices, consultants, or similar unnecessary expenses. This annual paper sale is the only fund-raising solicitation made. Even the paper was made possible by the generosity of an area businessman at no expense to the organization.

For many years the program was greatly benefited by the involvement of the local White bluff business and civic leader Z.H. Bibb, Jr., who was very instrumental in the program's overall success until his death several years ago. In more recent years the program was ably led by the late Harden Pack and the late R. E. Caldwell. We hope only to run the program as well and as responsibly as they did.

Originally nearly all of the monies contributed went to buy food baskets, with the intent of giving enough food to each family helped to enable them to prepare the large traditional holiday family meal with enough left to have food for several more days. Several years ago the food baskets were replaced by food gift certificates, but approximately fifty of these are still distributed to the needy of the area during the holiday season, as are about seventy-five fruit baskets to the elderly and shut in. And over the years, Big Brothers has grown to be more – much more.

Nowadays Big Brothers is a sort of friend of last resort for the people with all sorts of varied problems. Big Brothers has helped with emergency food assistance, burnouts, medicine, clothing, and utilities for those who need it, and has provided aid to victims of area disasters and crisis situations and stranded transients. It is one of the remaining pure examples of community helping community, people helping people.

For 2007-2008 the Big Brothers Committee will consist of Edsel Brown, Commander Mike Felts, and Adjutant Robert Qualls, all of American Legion Post 140, the sponsoring organization. We believe that working for Big Brothers is an honor and very rewarding, and that we all get so very much more than we ever give. What we give helps those who are less fortunate than we and gives hope and comfort to the needy, the lonely, the aged, and the infirm.

Thank you for helping in this worthy cause.

Please let us be the very first to wish you “Merry Christmas”!

If you would like help, please send your donations to
Big Brothers of White Bluff
934 Jordon Cir.
White Bluff, TN 37187