Anytime you survey a group of children, you’re going to get a wide range of answers.  When we posed the question “What are you thankful for?” recently, the answers came fast and furious:

“World Peace!”  Nice try – this isn’t the Miss America contest.

“I’m thankful for my brother and I’m thankful that it’s Thanksgiving break and I’m thankful that it doesn’t snow in Florida.”  Better – what else?

“I’m thankful for creamed corn!”

But this little girl was serious – creamed corn!  Her eyes sparkled with glee and she clapped her hands in front of her and proclaimed creamed corn to be “soft and gooey and so, so good!”

It’s hard to top her love of this starchy wonder, but at A Kid’s Place we take thankfulness any way we can get it.  We’re thankful for children who find healing after experiencing trauma that most of us can’t begin to imagine.  We are thankful for community supporters who write checks, roll up their sleeves, or support our fundraising endeavors.  We are thankful for local businesses who offer in-kind services or deeply discounted rates to provide us with necessary services. And we are thankful for our loyal volunteers who spend their own precious time helping in our pantry, library, donation room, and maintenance shop to ensure that we are able to provide the many services and programs in which our children thrive.

During this time, we share our heartfelt thanks with the community and take comfort in the simple joys of a child’s laughter, the touch of a youngster’s embrace, and the pure, unbridled passion for a lowly canned vegetable.

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