Giving Thanks

While raising our kids, my wife and I frequently stressed the importance of appreciating what we have.  We are very blessed and living where we live, it can be easy to take that for granted.  

Especially during the holiday season, we have always made sure that our kids give to those in need.  As part of our annual Hanukkah celebration, we always set aside one night where instead of giving gifts to our kids, we designate an amount of money that each kid must decide where to donate.  Over the years, they have given to plenty of wildlife and environmental organizations such as Save the Manatees, the National Park Conservation Association, Wildlife Relief Fund, and Amboseli Trust for Elephants, as well as many service organizations like American Red Cross, Homestay Teachers Volunteer in Cambodia, California firefighters, Guide Dogs of America, Fender Music Foundation and Oxfam. 

This year, both kids decided to donate to Broadway Cares' COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund which helps those onstage and behind the scenes get health care, emergency financial assistance and counseling.  As a family, we are huge fans of live theater.  2020 was devastating to all of those people who used to make their living in the New York Theater community.  While there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 vaccine starting to roll out, there is a long way to go before live theater returns.  If you feel like contributing to the cause, you can donate here:  https://donate.broadwaycares.org/campaign/covid-19-emergency-assistance-fund/c276873

Never more than in 2020 have we felt blessed to have food security, a home to self-quarantine in and access to health care.  Special thanks to everyone in the medical field who has spent the past 10 months going into hospitals and clinics and contributing to the health and safety of the rest of us.  

Frosty