I must admit, my fellow supporters, I had my doubts. In the weeks leading up to this year’s Thanksgiving Initiative, I found myself engulfed in anxiety about whether we could gather the funds necessary to make a difference. With so many worthy causes vying for attention and so many people facing hardship, it felt overwhelming.
Even though donations were coming in, the number of applications for assistance was outpacing our efforts. I began crafting apology messages, resigning myself to the reality that we simply couldn’t meet every request for help. I was convinced that success was beyond our reach.
Yet, against all odds, we accomplished what seemed impossible. We raised an astounding $114,516 in just under a month, enabling us to support 2,152 families who no longer have to stress about preparing a Thanksgiving meal. We did it!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed or spread the word about our initiative. Your trust in our community and your belief in the potential to effect change mattered more than you know. You should receive a message shortly with details about the family you supported. If you haven’t seen it by November 21—especially for tax reasons—please reach out, and we will ensure you have the information.
Special thanks to our partners at InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions, who made the gift card distribution seamless; we can’t recommend them enough. A shout-out to Nehemiah Manufacturing Co., whose social media efforts significantly boosted our reach. Also, thanks to WhatsUpMoms for creating an outstanding book trailer, with proceeds benefiting the Thanksgiving Initiative.
We are grateful to Glennon Melton’s nonprofit, Together Rising, for their invaluable support. If you missed out on participating in this initiative, consider looking into their Holiday Hands program, which is equally commendable.
On a personal note, I want to express my gratitude to my co-authors of the Guide to Holiday Survival, who generously donated their book proceeds. To Callie, Sharon, Kristin, and Jessica for rallying the community, and to Samantha, who enables me to focus on these projects during the busy months. Thank you to Charisse and Cris for managing the Confessional, which sparked this whole movement. Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has dedicated their time and energy to this cause, especially Mikki and Love, who devote themselves to ensuring that Thanksgiving is special for families in need. Your dedication is truly inspiring.
Once again, thank you to everyone for your contributions, support, and belief in this initiative, even when I wavered. I should have had more faith.
Here’s to a joyful Thanksgiving for all.