In preparation for tomorrow’s annual Turkey Coma Day, I’ve been busy today cooking pies and making deviled eggs so those things will be out of the way. Now that the eggs are deviled and the pies are cooling, I thought I’d take some time to say how thankful Pat and I are for the many blessings in our life, which include (but are surely NOT limited to):

• 5 beautiful kids we are so very proud of…
• 7 equally beautiful grandchildren we love to death and wish we could see more of…
• Family and friends who we truly love and appreciate every day…
• A growing, thriving company that we are committed to making the best it can possibly be…
• A group of people technically known as “our agents” who are actually the lifeblood of our business – and some pretty damn cool people to boot – and to whom we owe much of our success…
• An orange fur ball named Oscar who provides more entertainment than any reality TV show, and who hogs the foot of our bed at night…
• A roof over our head, food on our table, and clothes on our backs. Many do not have these comforts, some have none…
• The opportunity to work in a profession where we can actually make a difference in someone’s life…
• And the ability to stay young at heart, while our bodies do their best to rain on our parade…

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Giving Thanks in Thankless Times…

Thanksgiving usually brings people out of the woodwork posting lists of things they’re thankful for: family, friends, a roof over their heads, clothes on their back and food in their stomachs are all mainstays of these lists, and deservedly so. We’re thankful for all those things, too, and many more that could fill a book.

This year we thought we’d do something a little different. Many of us are always on the lookout for ways in which we can make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate than ourselves. Donating clothes to the Salvation Army, volunteering in a senior center or spending time as a mentor are all ways you can help. Donating time, money or goods are time-honored methods of giving back to those in need, whether they are in your community or halfway around the world. So, we’d like to present our list of favorite charities and causes that we’ve either personally donated to or highly recommend. Some will be familiar, some maybe not so much, but they’re all worth a look…

5 Familiar Causes…

1. Make-A-Wish Foundation: Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish^® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.
2. Habitat For Humanity: Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.
3. American Red Cross: Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.
4. World Wildlife Fund: For more than 45 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.
5. National Council On Aging: The National Council on Aging is a non-profit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC.
   • NCOA is a national voice for older adults – especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged — and the community organizations that serve them.
   • NCOA brings together non-profit organizations, businesses and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults.
   • NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors live independently, find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently and remain active in their communities

…And 5 Not So Familiar

1. Email Our Military: eMail Our Military’s founder is a military wife, the daughter of a veteran and an avid troop supporter. We’re volunteers from all walks of life who understand that regardless of our political views, our military service members deserve our respect, support & encouragement.
2. Pillows For Soldiers: Our simple purpose: Send pillows to soldiers, vets and to families of fallen soldiers to say “Thank You For Your Service” and offer them a little comfort.
3. Skip1.org: Skip1.org taps into the world’s wealth to bring food and water to children and families in need around the world. Skip1.org is a promotional division of Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF) which was founded in 1992 and seeks to alleviate the suffering of needy children across America and around the world.
4. The Feed Foundation: The FEED Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to ensure nutritious school meals for all children as a first step to improving the global food system. In partnership with FEED Projects, LLC, the FEED Foundation has provided over 50 million school meals to children in the developing world through the United Nations World Food Progam school feeding operations.
5. The Hole In The Wall Gang: The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, in collaboration with its associated camps in the United States and abroad, provides children with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions a camping experience of the highest quality, while extending year-round support to their families and health care providers.

So, there’s our list of ways to show thanks this holiday season. This list is by no means an exhaustive one; there are scores of other, worthy causes that you can donate to, all as deserving as these. These just happen to be some of our favorites. If you have a cause that’s especially dear to you, we invite you to leave a comment to let us know what it is.

In closing, we would like to say that, in addition to all the traditional things we are thankful for, we’d like to add one more to the list: YOU, our readers, clients and friends. Without you, we would have no need for this blog. We thank you for taking time out of your busy days to stop by and see what’s going on. We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you may be.

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

The Harriman Team would like to extend warm wishes to our friends, family, customers, clients, vendors, colleagues and everyone else who celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday. We are so very grateful for the friends we have made from our forays into Facebook and Twitter; the help and camaraderie we’ve received from them has been much appreciated.

We are grateful for our family, spread out as they are over several states and soon another continent as well. We give thanks for our beautiful grandchildren: Ilissa, Shelby, Nathan, Matt, and Lilly, who bring so much joy into our lives. We give thanks for the health and comfort we enjoy, and the love we share.

And we give thanks for living in the greatest country on Earth, and for the protection of our servicemen and women all over the world who put they’re lives on the line every day to ensure our freedom.

We hope you’ll join us in wishing everyone you know a Happy Thanksgiving, and peace and joy the rest of this holiday season.

Update: Our hearts go out to those in Mumbai who have endured a most tragic and reprehensible attack, and we hope that they may recover quickly and that those responsible are swiftly caught and brought to justice.

Post from: Wallingford Wired©2009 by Pat & Wayne Harriman

Happy Thanksgiving!