Thanksgiving Gratitude

“In this crazy year where the world has seem to have gone topsy-turvy, the word thankful seems almost trite.

It goes without saying that I am thankful for my loving family and amazing friends. That they are all healthy and safe and those who have been affected by COVID have recovered. That I have a job and a roof over my head and food on my table… for so many do not.

I am also thankful that each morning when I wake up, I can see the blue sky and the once green grass now covered in the morning frost. That I can hear the sounds of my wind chimes as the wind rushes through the trees. That I can walk to my kitchen and make a cup of coffee… because so many cannot.

I am thankful that we realized through the pandemic that everyone is important.  That the janitors and the supermarket workers and those at fast food restaurants are important to all of us. They are the ones that kept us safe and fed, and risked going out each day to work to take care of others.  The Doctors and the Nurses and the Police and the Fire fighters who have struggled to stay ahead of the curve and fight this pandemic. For the countless organizations and volunteers who gave of themselves to help others. To all of you I am thankful!

But most of all I am thankful that I am who am I today because of the experiences I have had in my life and that this crazy time only adds to that, teaching me my strengths and weaknesses and the difference between wants and needs. Because what we put out is what we get back and I chose to say Thank You!”

– Robin DeGroat, Vice President of Operations & Executive Assistant to the President

“There are many things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. For starters – the basics – a roof over my head, my own health and the health of my family and friends, food in my belly, and a job. I am thankful for nurses, paramedics, doctors, teachers, road crews, clerk’s in the stores, board of election staff, and all essential workers that we have all been counting on during these unparalleled times. I am thankful that I had the right to vote and to freely express my thoughts and opinions. I am thankful for the team of dedicated people I work with everyday who all share the common goal of making our communities a great place to live. Finally – I am thankful that I can look to 2021 with a sense of hope and optimism.”

– Joe Czajka, Senior Vice President for Research, Development, & Community Planning

“This year has been challenging for so many and it seems more important than ever to be grateful for the blessings in our lives. This year, I am so grateful for my amazing family and friends – we’ve really had to lean on each other this year and those bonds have been strengthened. It’s such blessing to be able to spend so much time with my sweet children who are growing up so fast – while working and schooling at home comes with challenges, it also gives us the opportunity to be in each others presence more. I’m very grateful for my work and for my colleagues – it is so rewarding to be working on things in service of our community and for our neighbors. I’m grateful for all of the kindness I’ve witnessed over the past year – people taking care of others in the most difficult circumstances, standing up for those whose voices aren’t always heard, and creative innovations to keep moving forward in the most difficult circumstances. And I am so especially grateful for all of those with a sense of humor – for all of the jokes and silly memes that have brought some lightness to this year and these chaotic times. Wishing all a happy & healthy Thanksgiving!” 

– Michelle Pfeffer, Vice President for Marketing & Communication