This week, we celebrate one of the most beloved family holidays. We wish you and yours a festive and joyful day with your loved ones.
November is also National Family Stories Month. Why not use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to pass on stories of your unique family history to the younger generations? Your ancestors may not have celebrated the first Thanksgiving in Massachusetts in 1621, but they were probably very grateful when they immigrated to the land of opportunity.
The stories of brave families leaving everything they knew behind, including a common language and sometimes everything but the clothing on their backs, to risk and strive for a new start in a foreign land is inspiring. I've been working on my family tree for years and have found forefathers and mothers going back hundreds of years to a time when they traveled deadly seas to reach our shores.
Reading their stories is humbling. If not for them, I wouldn't be here and you wouldn't be reading these words.
When considering everything that you're grateful for this Thanksgiving, take the time to acknowledge your ancestors for their drive and dedication that allows you to be here today.
We at Community Volunteers in Action are grateful for the wonderful volunteers we get to work with every day. Being able to coordinate the county's volunteer services has been one of my greatest experiences. I come to work with a grin on my face and answer the phone with a smile in my voice. It's been an honor to work with you, and I look forward to many years with you and future volunteers.
Make A Difference Day is our biggest volunteer event. Every year, the MADDay Committee and I spend months coordinating the event and the following award reception. You continue to surprise us with your creativity and enthusiasm for helping others.
The Make A Difference Day Final Report forms are back, and wow, did we have a difficult time choosing award winners. We're amazed by the creativity you've shown in helping your neighbors in Schuylkill County. There wasn't a single project that didn't deserve a commendation; however, we can only present a handful each year. Every group that returned their final forms received a certificate of appreciation. If you think your form got lost in the mail, contact me.
The awardees for this year are Blue Mountain Elementary East and PTO, DHH Lengel Middle School Student Council, Girl Scout Ambassador Troop No. 31468, Mahanoy City Knitting Group, Schuylkill County Quilters Guild, Splash the Clown, Tamaqua Area Middle School Student Council, Trinity Academy Elementary School and Patricia Horst. They were presented their commendations at an award reception on Nov. 20.
Schuylkill County boasts of having some of the best volunteers in the known world. We thank every group for your outstanding efforts and hope to see you again next year. Schuylkill County needs you.
For information about volunteer opportunities, call Community Volunteers in Action at 628-1426, e-mail jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us or go to www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityvolunteersinaction.
Hospital volunteers
Time: Minimum of four hours per week, choose availability.
Duty: Help in mail room, gift shop, information dies, pastoral care, nursing units, more.
Skills: Ability to perform assigned tasks.
Location: Schuylkill Medical Centers East and South
Contact: Mary Bardell, 570-621-4193.