Being Thankful and Paying it Forward
Published on November 04, 2024
By Alex Lama, Vice Mayor
As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on all that I have to be grateful for: my health, a loving family, good friends, a safe home, and food in the fridge, among many other blessings. But it is also a time to think about those who are facing difficult times and may not be as fortunate. Whether it’s the devastation caused by natural disasters—like the back-to-back hurricanes that have affected many of our neighboring communities—or the challenges of living with physical and mental health issues, or even the daily struggle to put food on the table amid financial difficulties, the need for help in our society is vast.
One of the most meaningful ways to show gratitude for our own good fortune is to extend a helping hand to those in need. I believe this is the ultimate expression of thankfulness. If you are in a position to support your neighbors and communities, here are some reputable organizations through which you can make a difference:
Disaster and Crisis Relief:
- Volunteer Florida: www.volunteerflorida.org
- Global Empowerment Mission:www.globalempowermentmission.org
- Team Rubicon: www.teamrubiconusa.org
Physical and Mental Health:
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: www.stjude.org
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): www.adaa.orgget-involved
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): www.nami.org/get-involved
- National Federation of Families: www.ffcmh.org/get-involved
Food and Housing Assistance:
- Feeding South Florida: www.feedingsouthflorida.org
- Farm Share: www.farmshare.org/how-to-help
- Camillus House: www.camillus.org
If you feel the call to help in other areas, a simple Google search can lead you to causes that align with your interests. As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Contact Vice Mayor Alex Lama at seat2@sibfl.net or 305.792.1752