Tomorrow, most of us will gather with family and friends around tables laden with turkey and all the trimmings of a Thanksgiving feast.
It's an American tradition: As school children, we all learned the Pilgrims gathered with Native Americans for the first Thanksgiving to celebrate and give thanks for the harvest. Our forefathers continued to designate days of giving thanks throughout the American colonies and individual states over the next 200-plus years. But it wasn't until the United States was in its darkest hour - during the Civil War that threatened to literally rip our nation apart - that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. (That date was later was moved to the fourth Thursday in November by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in order to ensure a sufficient retail season before the Christmas holiday.)
Somewhere in between all the cranberries and pumpkin pies, the Black Friday ads and football, we continue to take a moment to reflect and give thanks for our bountiful lifestyles - yes, even in the midst of continued economic difficulties, most of us continue to enjoy far greater economic resources than the vast majority of people around the globe.
This reflection and spirit of Thanksgiving prompts many in our communities to remember those around us who are less fortunate and may need a helping hand. Because of this, we all benefit - another reason to give thanks.
The Family Promise of Green County is a prime example. The nonprofit organization came together in less than nine months - a near record, according to the group's national umbrella organization - to help provide homeless families with the services they need to get back on their feet. Starting this month, area churches are hosting the families for overnight stays and meals on a rotating basis, while a day center will provide additional support services for families.
It's a united effort to tackle a growing concern. Private donations have provided material goods and financial support for the group. And Green County has agreed to provide $15,000 for 2012 in order to alleviate some of the pressure placed on the county's Human Services Department as a result of increasing numbers of people needing housing assistance.
As the holidays approach, many of our area service, youth and church groups will be reaching out in other ways as well. Efforts such as toy drives, food drives and the Christmas Stocking Program of the Monroe Woman's Club kick into high gear to share our bounty with our neighbors in need. Many of these efforts are announced within the pages of The Monroe Times - we encourage you to continue to support these efforts however you can. It's a sure way to keep the tradition and spirit of Thanksgiving flourishing all year round.
President John F. Kennedy said it best: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
It's an American tradition: As school children, we all learned the Pilgrims gathered with Native Americans for the first Thanksgiving to celebrate and give thanks for the harvest. Our forefathers continued to designate days of giving thanks throughout the American colonies and individual states over the next 200-plus years. But it wasn't until the United States was in its darkest hour - during the Civil War that threatened to literally rip our nation apart - that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. (That date was later was moved to the fourth Thursday in November by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in order to ensure a sufficient retail season before the Christmas holiday.)
Somewhere in between all the cranberries and pumpkin pies, the Black Friday ads and football, we continue to take a moment to reflect and give thanks for our bountiful lifestyles - yes, even in the midst of continued economic difficulties, most of us continue to enjoy far greater economic resources than the vast majority of people around the globe.
This reflection and spirit of Thanksgiving prompts many in our communities to remember those around us who are less fortunate and may need a helping hand. Because of this, we all benefit - another reason to give thanks.
The Family Promise of Green County is a prime example. The nonprofit organization came together in less than nine months - a near record, according to the group's national umbrella organization - to help provide homeless families with the services they need to get back on their feet. Starting this month, area churches are hosting the families for overnight stays and meals on a rotating basis, while a day center will provide additional support services for families.
It's a united effort to tackle a growing concern. Private donations have provided material goods and financial support for the group. And Green County has agreed to provide $15,000 for 2012 in order to alleviate some of the pressure placed on the county's Human Services Department as a result of increasing numbers of people needing housing assistance.
As the holidays approach, many of our area service, youth and church groups will be reaching out in other ways as well. Efforts such as toy drives, food drives and the Christmas Stocking Program of the Monroe Woman's Club kick into high gear to share our bounty with our neighbors in need. Many of these efforts are announced within the pages of The Monroe Times - we encourage you to continue to support these efforts however you can. It's a sure way to keep the tradition and spirit of Thanksgiving flourishing all year round.
President John F. Kennedy said it best: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
