Friday, November 20, 2009

Thanksgiving Traditions

It has been a Thanksgiving tradition for us to open our home to any and all for Thanksgiving dinner. When I managed a lot of people at the ‘evil empire corporation’ many of the people who worked with me joined us. One year there was a fire in an apartment building behind our house and we invited everyone to eat with us. Many of my son’s co-workers join us each year. Seems someone is always far from home or newly divorced or just alone.

This year we’re a little scaled back since it is Hope’s first Thanksgiving and the number of people on both sides of the family who wish to gaze upon her are many.

I’m making baked ziti for my VFW buddies. I’ll drop off pans of it on Tuesday and the guys will take it home with them. On Thanksgiving night I’ll drop by and see a few of my favorites – especially one gentleman who doesn’t leave home much anymore – I’m bringing dinner plates for him and his nurse.

It has always been my experience that we feel the fullest when we share with others.

The ‘World Food Programme’ has a wonderful thing that anyone can do. You can donate to feed people in the name of anyone – you then add that person’s name and photo to their website and send them a card telling them about it. Check it out HERE

Feeding America has a food pantry locator. Just CLICK and enter your zip. If you need food or have food to share you’ll find the pantry closest to you.

When my son was younger we usually worked at a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving. We had some of our best holidays those years.
VOLUNTEER MATCH can help you find a place.
Just go to search and enter your zip code and the keyword Thanksgiving.

I know many of us are busy with family but we can still help. Just click HERE and help those who sponsor the site feed hungry people.

Last but so far from least please check out THIS post by my wonderful friend Lisa, The Mountain Photog. It’s all about a great way to spend the day after Thanksgiving.

And as always, there is Hope …

30 comments:

fermicat said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your extended family and friends. Hope the kitties also get a feast!

bobbie said...

Ooooo Hope! Do you have any idea how thankful so many people are just to have you here!

Dianne, your Thanksgiving tradition is typical of you. So many people are thankful to have you here, too! I'm one of them.

Doc said...

That is a great tradition. You are such a sharing and caring person.

Anonymous said...

I love having others over for dinner. Nothing better than bringing one into the fold to share your bounty with. It's wonderful tradition you have done with your son. good for you. Your little one is gorgeous. Just precious she is. Hugs. Tammy

Arkansas Patti said...

Wonderful thoughts for Thanksgiving. That is how it should be done.
One year I worked with a church group to feed the homeless and it was possibly my most rewarding year ever.
We are so much richer when we give.
Thanks for the reminder.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

Looking at Hopes little face makes it clear of what being thankful is all about.

Dana said...

*big grin* I've been contemplating Thanksgiving this year - it's a difficult one. This is a wonderful way to make it better!

Jeff B said...

That's awesome Dianne. There is so much that can be done.

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

You are sweet, Dianne. SO many homeless shelters and food programs with an increase in need... just as there is a decrease in giving.

Linda said...

I have, in fact, read Lisa's post and I think it's a fantastically brilliant idea! I rather doubt that the retail moguls of the world would like it but too bad ... they make enough at other times, right?!

Sounds like you have some wonderful Thanksgiving traditions and I bet the guys at the VFW absolutely love the baked ziti you leave for them.

I'm sure you're going to have a very "Hope"full Thanksgiving!

Grayquill said...

A very great reminder - Thanks
Enjoy grandma...:)

Scott Oglesby said...

What you are doing and have done, is wonderful. I don’t think that anyone in this world should ever have to go hungry when other people have so much. I’ve never done what you’ve done on such a large scale. But when I lived in Florida, I used to drive into the William’s Park in St. Pete with 50 or so peanut butter and jellies every Saturday. And you would not believe how many negative comments and even curses I received from the good citizens of St. Pete.

Nessa said...

Hope is beautiful. Thanks for the volunteer links.

Silly Saturday #7 - Charm or Chores?

Dianne said...

fermicat - the cats have Thanksgiving later in the night - during the day Siren is too freaked out by all the people so he stays in "his room"
Mia is always oblivious
but at night they get treats and little bits of turkey

bobbie - thanks Lady!! I'm thankful for you too

doc - nah, I'm just a hooker with a heart ;)

stitch - it does feel good to include folks :)

patti - we are :) thanks

queen size funny - she's so fresh and new, it's wonderful

dana - I'm lovin getting a big grin

jeff - and even a little helps

mrs c - could you write me a letter telling "certain" people I'm sweet? LOL

linda - I love the VFW guys!! they're some of the coolest guys I've ever known

grayquill - thanks buddy :)

scott - you did something to help consistently and that matters a lot
screw the good citizens, it's my experience that they're usually the worst people on earth

nessa - thanks :)

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

You are a true inspiration and what Thanksgiving is all about, Dianne!

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! :))

Jeni said...

Yep - so true -"there is Hope" and reading your posts, especially one like this, gives me renewed hope too for the future. Have a wonderful and very Hopefilled Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all from Wales.

Lisa (Mountain Photog) said...

Wonderful post, Dianne! You are such a generous soul. Thanks for the link to my post and thanks also for the other great links. I love the Wall Against Hunger! What a great idea! And what a lovely photo of Hope. Such a sweet face.

Linda Reeder said...

I've never shared Thanksgiving bounty as you have, with nonfamily and strangers. I've always been with family, usually traveling some distance to do so. I honor you for what you've done for others.
I do write checks to the food banks. As for Lisa's posting, I don't plan to shop on "black Friday", but that's my choice. I don't condemn those that do. We do live in a consumer based society now, and while I know we've gone overboard, I also know that people keep their jobs when we spend.

Akelamalu said...

It's so good to have your family and friends around you at such a special time and, yes, sharing is good. :)

Hope is growing so fast :0

Anonymous said...

It was very interesting for me to read this article. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I would like to read more on that blog soon.

Unknown said...

Dianne: Sending you wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. There is a small group of us who are getting together at a friends home and I am looking forward to that. lol and warm wishes! :)

CG said...

What a wonderful post and a lovely photo of Hope. I really envy Americans Thanksgiving; it seems a much more altruistic holiday than Christmas is these days which has become so commercial!

dianasfaria.com said...

nice post for this holiday season Dianne, thank you for sharing & being so generous.
I just read your "Harry" story-have I told you I think you are a great story teller?
I really enjoyed that. & you sound like you had fun too.
: )

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

There was always at least one 'orphan' in our home for every major holiday...

Thanks for all the great links...

I may steal a few from you...

HUGS

Daryl said...

Thank you for posting those links, I am going to a friend's home weekend after next and in place of a hostess gift I donated to Friends of World Hungry to their school food program

xo

Hilary said...

Donations such as these make truly fine gifts. So warm and wonderful of you to include the links,

Wishing you and yours a beautiful Thanksgiving. :)

Dianne said...

petra - thank you :)

jeni - you too :)
and I hope everyone helps you cook and more importantly clean up LOL

bear - thank you :)

lisa - I love the Wall Against Hunger, it's an inspired idea

linda r - it is complicated, I now. Having worked in retail I will say that my pay and benefits never increased when the store was doing well, they just padded the profits

akelamalu - if ever there was a way to tell how fast time really goes it's a grandchild
I'm guessing you already know that :)

anon - thanks

michael - enjoy the day :)

cg - my favorite holiday is Halloween
it's all about fun and candy
Hope sends hugs

lily - thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind comment :)

bond - you are always welcome to use anything here
hugs to you too :)

daryl - what a great idea for a hostess gift!!
I always said you were the smarter "sis"

hilary - thank you :)

Raven said...

Beautitful post. I hope that your own generosity and bigness of heart is reflected back to you a thousand-fold Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy feasting your eyes on that beautiful grandchild. Hope the furries enjoy the day too.

Anonymous said...

The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.

Thanks