How did Gratitude Month begin?
For decades now, AA’s in the U.S. have set aside November as Gratitude Month, marking the occasion with special contributions to AA. The tradition of Gratitude Month goes back 70 years. The first recognition of an AA Gratitude Week, specifically designed to coincide with Thanksgiving week in the U.S. (Canada celebrates in October), occurred in 1956, when the sixth General Service Conference approved the motion, stipulating that “this action be noted in the annual pre-Thanksgiving appeals to the groups for funds to help support AA’s worldwide services.” However you may express your gratitude-whether via an extra dollar or two in the basket at your home group, a separate contribution to GSO or gift subscriptions to alcoholics in need through Grapevine’s Carry the Message program-November is a wonderful time to express our collective gratitude for individual sobriety. When AA groups choose to make special contributions to their local service offices or committees and to GSO, it is a very direct and spiritual way to participate in Twelfth Step work.
-reprinted from the Grapevine November 2024