Week 47: A week to be thankful for

I hope each of you had a relaxing Thanksgiving with your friends and families.  If you have a roof over your head, warm food to eat and a family that loves you, you have a lot to be thankful for.

I figured I couldn't ask all of you to give up your time to volunteer during the holidays if I didn't do it myself.  Here is a highlight from my Thanksgiving week of service:

Thanksgiving with the Sacramento Kings

Monday, November 19th

Spent the evening with volunteers from the Sacramento Kings serving Thanksgiving meals to families in need in the Sacramento area.  This was a family friendly event.  Even the Kings players brought their kids to help serve.  I definitely want to participate in this event next year.

Run to Feed the Hungry

Thursday, November 22nd

Ran the 5k in support of the

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is a local, non-profit agency committed to serving individuals and families in need. With a staff of 40 and a volunteer force of over 5,000, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provides free emergency goods and services to 15,000 unduplicated men, women and children each month.

Salvation Army - Thanksgiving Meal Service

Served meals to homeless families from the Sacramento area.  This was another family friendly volunteer event but fills up quickly, so you will need to sign up in advance to participate next year.

When I first arrived at the Salvation Army on North B Street, Downtown Sacramento, people were lined up outside waiting.  It was a very sobering experience to see people of kinds standing in the freezing cold for a hot meal.  Once we were assigned our volunteer duties for the day, people started filtering in for meals.  Again, it was a very diverse group of people.  The people we served were grateful and many of them had second and third helpings.  THE LITTLE BOY ON THE LEFT IS WHAT MADE MY THANKSGIVING COMPLETE.   

I was lucky enough to serve him and his grandmother.  This lady is raising her grandson RIGHT.  He was the most respectful, polite young man I have ever met.  When he first got there he wished us a Happy Thanksgiving all on his own.  And every other word was "please" and "thank you".  The picture on the right captures my asking him which food was his favorite.  Pointing to all off the items on his plate, he said "this, and this, and this, and this, and this..."  He was thankful for every part of his meal. 

What a humble reminder not to take my many blessings for granted.

Until next time...

Adopt A Family for the holidays

For those of you who want to make a difference this holiday season but just can't spare the time to volunteer, please consider the Adopt A Family program. 

Last year, our office adopted a family of 4 and we were able to provide all of the gifts from their wish list.  I can only imagine the looks on their faces when they opened up their gifts.  It is such a great feeling to know that you made someone's day. 

Adopting a family is simple.  Click the link below, choose a family from the list and shop for the gifts on their wish list. 
http://www.adoptafamilysac.org/

If you are outside the Sacramento area, please reach out to your local volunteer organizations to find at list of participating organizations for this season.


Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Turkey Turkey Turkey!!

Got up bright and early this morning to join some other Wells Fargo volunteers at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services for the 5th Annual Turkey Drive.  We helped to collect thousands of frozen turkeys, canned and dry goods for needy families in our area.  The food that was collected will be distributed to families on Monday.  While speaking with a SFBFS team member, I was advise that they served over 8,000 families last year.  

Hundreds of very giving families and businesses came through the donation line this morning but there were a few moments that stuck with me throughout the day.  One in particular was a gentleman that came through with a truck bed full of turkeys and I told him I hope he has a nice day.  He just stopped, looked me straight in the eye, and said that he has a lot of nice days but he wants to help lots of other people have a nice day too.  THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF GIVING.

If you missed out on the Turkey Drive today, you can help support the Sacramento Food Bank by joining me and thousands of others at Sac State for next week's Run to Feed the Hungry.  The event is a 5k or 10k walk/run and supports a great cause.  Plus, think of all the guiltless extra calories you can eat later at Thanksgiving dinner. 

 Until next time...

Holiday Volunteer Opportunties - Make the most out of this holiday season

Last Thanksgiving was the busiest and MOST FULFILLING HOLIDAY I have EVER had. 

Unlike previous years, I spent the first half of my day surrounded by members of the community and families that were much less fortunate than myself.  In the morning, I participated in the Run to Feed the Hungry benefiting the Sacramento Food Bank.  Afterward, I went straight over to the Salvation Army to help serve Thanksgiving meals to the homeless.  I can't even begin to describe how full my heart was when I headed home that afternoon.  I have decided to make it a holiday tradition.

The holiday season is the perfect time of the year to get involved and give back.  I would add that it is also important to get your children involved.  The next 6 weeks will come and go in the blink of an eye.  It is very easy to get caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping, parties, travel, etc...I hope that you will find a few hours in your busy schedule to step back and give back. 

In addition to a list of volunteer opportunities with Salvation Army, I have included links to some other local organizations that could use your help this holiday season...I also hope you will share your stories with the rest of us by posting a comment to this blog or emailing ashornml@gmail.com

Adopt a Family

Sacramento Food Bank - Coming Up! Run to Feed the Hungry

Food Bank of Yolo - Coming Up! Running of the Turkeys

Loaves and Fishes

Salvation Army - Coming Up! Angel Tree