A Treasure Coast Christmas

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  The family, the fun, the cooking, the food, and just enjoying all the things you are thankful for.  Thanksgiving 2017 changed that for me forever, as I watched my best friend slip away.  Thanksgiving 2017, was day 12 of 17 of at home hospice care for my Mommy.  My dad and I watched the parade, ate cold leftovers family and friends brought, and tried to "enjoy" our last favorite holiday with our favorite girl. I am doing my best to not let that 1 terrible Thanksgiving define the 28 other wonderful ones I have had in my life.
   The best way I know how to quell the pain and honor my mom, is to continue what we started several years ago.  My mom and I would put a call out to friends and family, to donate some funds to help us provide Thanksgiving dinners to families, in need of a leg up that year.
Then we would put a call out on social media for anyone that may know of a family who otherwise would not have a Thanksgiving of their own. We then would use the donations to grocery shop for everything the families would need to cook their very own Thanksgiving meal at home with their loved ones, because let's face it, that's the best part of Thanksgiving! We would provide a Turkey, roasting pan, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, yams, gravy, rolls, pie and even treats for the family dog if they had one. After we shopped, we would assemble the meals and deliver them.

    So, that is exactly what I have done the past 2 years since she has been gone, except on a much bigger scale! With the help of amazing friends and Family, we have raised enough money to help over 65 families have a Thanksgiving meals in 2018 and 2019!

I sincerely hope that these meals will bring the joy of Thanksgiving into family homes. I hope they enjoy every moment of Thanksgiving with their loved ones.

The smell of the turkey, the giggles of little ones or not so little ones, 

the crazy stories uncle Bob tells, all of it!.  I can only hope these meals are enjoyed by the receiving families half as much as it was by us bringing it to them. 

The last week of October is when I typically put out the application for families to nominate themselves or someone they know. The first week of November, I call every single family personally and let them know that they will be receiving everything they need for Thanksgiving. This is my favorite part, some people don't have much to say, some cry, and all are incredibly grateful. 

We LOVE our volunteers who help me shop, sort, assemble, and deliver the baskets of food. It is an amazing experience and encourage everyone to get involved!

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” —Aesop