Thanks and Giving

By JoAnn Turnquist
President and CEO, Central Carolina Community Foundation
November 22, 2013 

The holidays are officially here. Travel plans have been made and grocery lists are being checked. Menus are under consideration and meals will soon be on the table. It’s a busy time but, even with all of the hustle and bustle, it’s also a time when we find time to give thanks. We reminisce on holidays past, remember loved ones and draw close to family and friends. It’s a time of tradition, gratitude and helping others.

There are many opportunities for Midlands families to offer cheer to others during this time of year. So as your family is organizing its holiday schedule, consider including activities that will not only help a neighbor, but add a little extra meaning to your holiday season. We’re sharing a few options we came up with and, we’d love to hear more ideas from you.

Give Your Time
Your time is priceless, and sharing it with others can be an enriching experience. Consider these upcoming volunteer opportunities during the Thanksgiving holiday:

• Support our Troops. Join Columbia Metropolitan Airport, USO South Carolina and hundreds of volunteers to stuff 10,000 packages for our troops on Friday, November 22 at the airport. There are several shift options.
• Red Kettle. Have you ever considered ringing the bell for Salvation Army? You can and it’s an amazing way to witness firsthand the generosity of others. And, you might learn something interesting!

Give Financially
If you don’t have time to share, consider making a donation in honor of your family this Thanksgiving. It’s easy to write a check or make an online donation, but the trick with this is to include your family in the give. Before you make the donation, sit down as a family and talk about what you’re going to give to, why and how it’s going to help. If possible, deliver the check as a group to the nonprofit you’ve decided to support. Suggestions:

• Oliver Gospel Mission will provide Thanksgiving dinners to 400 families in the Midlands.  Just $35 fills a box that includes a turkey and all your favorite fixings.
• Harvest Hope Food Bank has a special challenge this month. If it raises $450,000, the Michael J. Mungo Foundation will increase its donation to $150,000, which will provide three million meals to families across the region.

Provide a Meal
You don’t have to cook two meals, but you can provide the groceries needed to help another family. SisterCare is accepting grocery items to distribute to the families it serves. SisterCare provides services and advocates for abused women and their children and promotes prevention of domestic violence. While you and your kids are doing your shopping, pick up items for SisterCare and deliver them to their headquarters: 1820 Morlaine Drive, Cayce (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Get Active For Others
Before you take down a plate full of turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and cranberries, pull the family together for a little exercise and support Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. The Ninth Annual Turkey Day 5K and Family Fun Run will take place in downtown Columbia on Thanksgiving morning. What a great tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Central Carolina Community Foundation!

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