Friends and neighbors —

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is upon us once again. At its core, Thanksgiving is a day for reflecting on the blessings in our lives and expressing appreciation for the friends and family we share our lives with. I hope we can all take a few moments to share our gratitude for our good fortune.

One of the things I am most thankful for is our generosity of spirit and kindness toward strangers. I have always been impressed by our ability to band together to aid those of us who are in need. 

I encourage us all to make it a priority to support our friends and neighbors who are struggling this year. While numerous organizations appreciate financial contributions, giving to charity can take many forms. Perhaps you are able to donate a warm coat or boots to a shelter. Maybe you can volunteer at your church or a food shelf. There are limitless options, but please remember that many of our friends and neighbors could use a helping hand. 

This Thanksgiving, let’s embrace the many blessings in our lives – friends, family, freedom, and prosperity – and focus on our common hopes and values instead of our differences. Let’s do our best to carry the spirit of gratitude through not only the entire holiday season but throughout 2024.

— John