Everyone has a different reason for volunteering to work during Christmas.
Some people need the extra cash, and others are just trying to pay it forward to their colleagues.
Either way, the spirit of giving is alive and well right here in the Tri-State area.
Barbara Boggs is a waitress at Shoney's. She is working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
She said she appreciates the random acts of kindness she sees from her customers.
"The gentleman says, 'hold out your hand'. So, I held out my hand and he placed a $50 bill in my hand. I opened my hand and I about cried. He said, 'it's like this, you took your time out from your family to serve mine, and this is my way of giving back to you'."
For Kelly Colpaert, the extra hours at work means extra money for her children and the house she just bought.
"I usually make on Christmas Day anywhere from like $250-$300 in tips on Christmas Day," she said.
Margaret Belcher brings her son Jeffrey, who has autism, to Shoney's every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She said the staff is so accommodating and wonderful to her son.
"They take very good care of him. The service is great and the food is great," she said.
Over at Metro 911, some employees are pulling overtime to give others a chance to spend Christmas with their families.
"I know a couple of them tomorrow are working for employees that was their regular day to work to kind of help them out and let them be home with their family," said Lt. Paul Dryden, Metro 911 Shift Supervisor.
We even see this kindness here in our 13 Newsroom. Meteorologist Bryan Hughes offered to cover both morning and evening shows for the weather team.
"I'm not married. I have no children, and most of my co-workers do so I let them enjoy this time with their families," he said.
Despite working through the holidays, everyone has something or someone to be thankful for.
"I'm thankful for my family and that we are all still together. My mother, who turned 80 this year, I'm still thankful to have her around," Dryden said.
Boggs said her husband passed away four years ago. She said she values life on a new level.
"I'm just thankful that I'm able to walk, see, and enjoy people and be able to work," she said.
Hughes is spending Christmas with his best friends.
"I'm thankful this holiday season for my friends because without them, I would not have as much fun as I have," he said.
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