Thanksgiving: A time for being grateful

Relaxing. Feasting. Family. These words are synonymous with Thanksgiving, a day that reminds us to count our blessings and realize how important it is to help those less fortunate. I have realized that as I get older, I gain a better understanding of how crucial it is to give back to the local community.
The holiday represents a time for families to come together, without cell phones on the table, headphones in the ears or outside distractions. It is a time to cherish and celebrate the people and qualities that make us who we are before the winter holiday madness and Black Friday chaos kicks in a day later.
To celebrate the day of festivities, my family and I usually wake up (if we can get out of bed) to watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together in our living room. Then, we relax and prepare for the big feast. While my mother prepares the food, my sister and I set the table while my brothers and father help with the cooking and caring of the turkey. For me, this time serves as a reminder to be thankful for what I have: loyal friends, a supportive family and the opportunities to further my education and understanding of the world.
Hewlett High School senior Jillian Feuerstein often accompanies her family when they volunteer at a soup kitchen before they enjoy their holiday meal later that day. “I see Thanksgiving as a time to be thankful for how fortunate the majority of people in this area are, and help those who are not as fortunate. That’s why I often perform community service to help those individuals,” she said.
To prepare for the upcoming holiday season, Hewlett High seniors Adam Farber and Hannah Burkhart have begun to organize their annual “Two Thumbs Up” fundraiser. Students throughout the Hewlett-Woodmere School District can donate mittens, coats, scarves and other winter accessories to needy families on Long Island.
“We started Two Thumbs Up because we thought it would be a great way to help those in need in our community with the cold winter approaching. There are a lot of people who can’t afford to buy the necessary items for the cold weather. We decided we should support them and donate as much as we could,” Farber said.
However you choose to spend the day off, I wish you a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving. This holiday season, I encourage you to be mindful of what is around you and be grateful for all that your life has given you.