Donating Talents and Trades to Raise Money Blesses Recipients and the World

I am always deeply touched when I hear of people, past or present, who use their talents or trade for charity to help the needy. Around Christmas time, I learned more of the history of George Frederic Handel's Messiah. Then, very recently, a publication of short stories came out. Three of my closest friends are contributors to the book. When I learned that its proceeds are being donated to the research and development of a vaccine for type one diabetes, I was reminded of my intention to write a blog about Handel's charity work. So, what better way to talk about both than to combine them into one blog.

Handel's debut performance of Messiah was in Dublin in 1742. It was also a charity performance to raise money to free men from debtor's prison. Debtor's prison held men that had committed no crime but found themselves unable to pay their debts within the pre agreed time. The charity sponsors wanted to raise as much money as possible, and so requested that the women not wear hoops in their skirts and the men to leave their swords home so as to squeeze in more patrons. The people were immediately touched by the music they heard. The benefit was more successful than anticipated, raising 400 pounds, enough to free 142 men from prison.

Messiah's debut in London was under similar circumstances. Handel was visiting a children's orphanage that was just beginning to be established and was in need of public support for funds. Handel was undoubtedly impressed by the creativity of the founder in marketing public support for the orphanage. The founder was an artist by the name of  William Hogarth. He initiated public interest by first making the orphanage an art museum. Hogarth donated his own work and commissioned the work of cohorts to display in the building. It quickly became a popular art exhibit, as London had none at the time. While passersby viewed the art, they would also see the children at meal time and singing in the choir, which led to increasing donations. Handel likely saw this as a great need and benefit for the children, who would have had no other place to go, abandoned by young unwed mothers who couldn't care for them. He likely also saw it as an opportunity to give his beautiful, inspired work a starting place where he could avoid the cost of renting a theater and supplying costumes and wages for performers. Back then it was the composer's job to fund all these things, and if the piece wasn't popular, it quietly dissipated dying and unappreciated, leaving the composer in debt. Messiah, we know, proved to be very successful originating its performances under the shelter of charities.

Was is selfish or hypocritical for Handel to benefit from his charitable work with the children's orphanage? I think not. If it weren't for the orphanage and his debut performance in Dublin for the debtor's prison, the world might not have Handel's Messiah. And I believe Handel did not do it with that as his primary intention. Because his debut in London was so successful, he made it a yearly tradition to perform there. Over the years until he died, Handel raised seven thousand pounds for the children's orphanage, improving their quality of life and happiness. He even gave the music and performing rights to the orphanage in his will so that the yearly fundraiser could continue after his death.  I personally am extremely grateful Handel's Messiah made it past the trying beginning stages and was not swept under the rug. I feel renewed hope in life every time I listen to it. Millions of people have been touched by Messiah for 273 years and counting.

Using Handel's example of charity as a backdrop, I would like to announce the release of Secrets and Doors, under the charity called The Secret Door Society. This group is one that uses writing to look outward to the needs of others, just like Handel did with his talent of composing music. Its mission is to help fund the research that will lead to the development of a vaccine for type one diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.  There are 11 authors who contributed short stories for this book, some of which are making their debut here. Remember the patrons who visited the orphanage so that they could see the art museum? They visited because it captured something they were interested in - beautiful art. They visited later because they enjoyed Handel's talent. If you enjoy reading, do it while simultaneously helping a very good cause and giving someone a chance to show their talent that could benefit the world.

Sources:

Secrets and Doors (Amazon link to view and purchase)
 Handel's premier performance freed 142 men from debtors prison in Dublin
Handel's charity work in improving the lives of Orphans in London