The Philanthropy Files

Ahhhh, I love this time of year! The warmth of the red and gold leaves balances the slight chill in the air. Life’s pace seems to slow down just a touch following a busy summer and before the hustle and bustle of December is upon us. And then there’s Thanksgiving – my favorite holiday.

While I always try to live with an attitude of gratitude, Thanksgiving for me is a time to more consciously and actively express appreciation for all of life’s gifts. The big and the small. Sometimes I am grateful for something extremely practical like Watson (our black Lab) not eating the lunch I accidentally left on the kitchen counter! Sometimes, I am grateful for the salmon hues in the sunrise or the smile of a stranger I passed on the street. Every day I am grateful to live in such a giving and compassionate community.

I’ve seen that compassion and generosity from several young people in the last few weeks. Eagle Scouts, with the help of their neighbors, brought in three carloads of supplies for our shelter and books for our kids. An eight year-old boy used all of his birthday money to buy socks and underwear for other little boys – boys he doesn’t know – who live in our shelter. I’ve also seen some of our most philanthropic donors increase their giving and volunteering because they know how important our vision of fostering a community where individuals thrive in safe, healthy relationships is for all of us.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” -William Arthur Ward

Please take some time this month to express what you are grateful for. A sunrise, a smile, a safe and healthy relationship, a compassionate community…

I’m grateful for you!

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