This Thanksgiving, among all of our other worries, we face supply- chain issues and record-high inflation. Farm Bureau's annual survey says the average cost of this year's Thanksgiving feast is up 14 percent from last year.
Giving thanks might not be the first thing on our minds this week. But it should.
We're sure you can find some reasons of your own to be thankful. For us, we're thankful this year for the community in which we live.
We have a tight-knit community with many people who are generous, caring and empathetic. Here are just a few examples that come to mind:
• Several organizations are giving out Thanksgiving meals this year, which is typical. Among them: First Baptist Church, the Samaritan Center, Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, Salvation Army, Elks Lodge and the Holts Summit Soup Kitchen.
• After recent vandalism at the Lohman Community Center building earlier this month, the community did what came naturally: Residents pitched in to help with cleanup efforts.
• Our community appreciates our veterans. Numerous organizations and projects demonstrate this throughout the year. One of the main ones is Operation Bugle Boy, which works constantly for our vets. One recent event sponsored by Heroes Outreach Program treated more than 125 veterans to an inaugural "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" dinner and USO show. The event not only entertained, it raised awareness of veteran suicides.
• We have a mayor who is a 24/7 cheerleader for our city. If you've never seen Carrie Tergin at a local event or been in one of her selfies, you must be a recluse who lives in a van down by the river. She spends about 500 hours a week representing our city. OK, there aren't that many hours in a week. But sometimes we do wonder if she's cloned herself.
• A decades-old dream of providing riverfront access on the south side of the Missouri River is finally coming to fruition with the Bicentennial Bridge and the development of Adrian's Island.
• Businesses, workers and other community members helped the United Way exceed its fundraising goal this year by pledging more than $2.3 million, which goes to local charities.
So this year, give thanks for all the blessings in your life. And don't forget about our amazing community.
News Tribune