As this Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for many things. To start with, I am thankful for my family. I have a wonderful wife who is a daily reminder of the good in people, and two beautiful, although hyper, daughters, who keep me hopeful and tired. I am thankful for my friends, who keep me laughing and constantly on my toes. I am thankful for my church, which keeps me in the right perspective.
I am also thankful for the organizations in Laurens that provide valuable services to our citizens. Two of these organizations are Habitat for Humanity and Hospice of Laurens County. Without the services of these people, many would be lost and without help.
Habitat for Humanity makes it possible for families to have a place to call home. Since 1993, the Laurens Habitat for Humanity has provided 12 families with shelter. Volunteers do most of the construction and some of the materials are donated by businesses. The organization also does not charge interest on the mortgage, which cuts the cost of the house almost in half as compared to a mortgage issued by a financial institution. I am thankful for the work that Habitat for Humanity does.
As a licensed funeral director, I have a special sense of gratitude for the people who work with Hospice. Their job is not an easy one. But, there is a great reward in knowing that you were able to help people through one of their darkest times. With the opening of their new Hospice House, Hospice of Laurens County is able to provide services to families that enable those families to have a place to go that feels like home. I am thankful for the service that Hospice of Laurens County provides.
I am also thankful for two international organizations that seek to provide a better life for people around the world. The ONE Campaign exists to end poverty. By raising awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight these problems in the world's poorest countries, the ONE Campaign is a champion of people across the world.
The Blood:Water Mission is an organization that has funded 340 clean water initiatives to more than 276,000 people in Africa. With the widespread effects of malaria and HIV/AIDS, clean water and clean blood is a commodity in Africa, and it should not be. It should be a humanitarian right, and Blood:Water Mission is helping to make it so. I am thankful for their efforts.
On this Thanksgiving holiday, we have much to be thankful for. I hope that each of us will take the time to reflect on what we have been blessed with. I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
