Next week, America's families will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. The feast usually takes center stage, but the true purpose of Thanksgiving is to express gratitude for our most precious treasures: family and friends, health and wellness, food and shelter.
Unfortunately, many families have little to be thankful for this holiday. For the past few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of families falling into poverty. These families suffer with insufficient access to food, shelter, health care and other necessities.
For those of us fortunate enough to celebrate Thanksgiving with the warmth of family, friends and a feast, one of the best ways to give thanks is to give back. Get your whole family involved, and use the Thanksgiving season as an opportunity to teach the kids in your life about the importance of gratitude and generosity. Here are some tips to get you started.
Take inventory. Before the holiday season shifts into overdrive, ask every member of your family to pick an item (toys, clothing, or household goods) to donate to a local organization that serves homeless or underprivileged families.
Do a family project. Make a Thanksgiving tree out of construction paper. Have each member of the family write down what they are thankful for on the leaves.
Share the bounty. The holidays can be an especially grim time for families struggling to make ends meet. Your donation to a local food bank or food pantry can help make Thanksgiving special for a family in need. The New York State Food Bank Association can direct you to your local food bank. You can also call our Parent Helpline at 1-800-CHILDREN or e-mail us for a referral to a food pantry near you.
Spread the love. Invite a neighbor or family friend to your Thanksgiving feast. The more the merrier!
Talk to your children about how to show thanks. Have them write a thank you note to teachers, grandparents, babysitters or others who have given them love and special attention.
Thank your kids! Tell your children how special they are. Show them that you're thankful for them by giving them extra hugs, kisses and special notes of appreciation.
Best wishes for a joyous and generous Thanksgiving from Prevent Child Abuse New York!
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