Monday, November 24, 2008

What Are You Thankful For?


By David Hylton, Public Relations Specialist

This year has been one of doom and gloom according to the nightly news and the morning headlines in newspapers – home foreclosures are at record highs and the stock market seems to have no bottom. We say (for at least a few days anyway) enough is enough. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it’s time to think about the good things life has to offer.

To celebrate the holiday, we asked several of our CCF employees what they are thankful for this year. Here are their responses.

Gary Duncan, assistant director of marketing
“Despite the economy in the U.S., the increasing job losses, and high prices for basic daily needs, I am thankful that there is reason to be positive for the future. In many impoverished countries, there are children and families who have no hope, no dreams, and no one to encourage them.”

Eli Rivadeneira, assurance officer in CCF’s Americas Region
“I am thankful for my life, the opportunities I have had, the moments I have lived, the persons I have met. I am thankful for my great family and for my parents who always support me. I am thankful for my husband, my son and my daughter; they are blessings in my life. I am thankful for my professional life, for the opportunity to be in CCF, because since I visited the communities and shared with the children and their parents, I changed my priorities in life. I understand the important things to live and enjoy and I am really thankful for it.”

David Hylton, public relations specialist
“I am thankful for the opportunities and challenges that each new day brings in both my professional life and my personal life.”

Cynthia Price, director of communications
“I am thankful for friends and family and the blessed life that I have. I know I’m fortunate that my basic necessities and then some are covered, but all this was reinforced this summer when I traveled to my first developing country. I was in Senegal and The Gambia for Christian Children’s Fund. I no longer take for granted access to health care and education, water from my tap, and so much more.”

Annelore Temple, executive secretary, Marketing and Sponsor Services
“I am thankful, even as our world is facing an economic crisis, that we still have hope – hope in our future, hope in our new leader and, most importantly, hope in our God, who will preserve this country called America.”

Welbert Luis S. Gonçalves, administration officer, Brazil
“I am thankful for my wife, who has always supported me in my professional and personal life. I am thankful for my little son, who is only 1 year old. He came into our lives bringing so much joy and so many lessons to be learned. I am thankful for him to have the opportunity to be raised in a home where he can not only have access to basic needs, but also to be loved. I am thankful for our health, for our friends and for each new morning.”

Stephanie Brummell, interactive content specialist
“I’m thankful for my family and for the foresight that brought me to CCF. Not only is my passion for writing used each and every day, but that same passion is also transformed into my own way of helping children all over the world. Who knows what my words might inspire?”

Cheri Dahl, vice president of International Communications and Fundraising
“I am thankful that I work with a team of people that I like, who laugh and have fun, and who are committed and work hard.”

Nicole Duciaume, documentation and sponsorship support officer
“I am thankful for my family’s unconditional love and support, friends who make me laugh, opportunities to touch the lives of others, my dogs’ effervescent personalities, and warm dryer-fresh towels.”

Ellie Whinnery, public relations manager
“I am thankful for family and friends and the freedom to celebrate together on Thanksgiving. I am thankful that in these tough economic times we truly understand that being together and giving of ourselves is more important than material things that won’t last. Everyone contributes a part to our Thanksgiving meal. We take a long walk before eating and have dessert first, then our meal … otherwise we are too full to really enjoy pumpkin and pecan pie.”

* * *

Now it’s your turn. What are you thankful for this year? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

5 comments:

CCF said...

From Alison, CCF's publications editor: I am thankful for the privilege of living in a nation where a sense of community is still important.

Unknown said...

I'm thankful for family and friends and everyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously. Also thankful for the Internet which allows frequent communication with distant friends.

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for gas finally being cheap enough to be able to take a trip.

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for all the caring and thoughtful people who care for others and help a community half way around the world so that they can have more opportunity for health, education, comfort, happiness, and success.

Anonymous said...

Renée Ferguson, Sr. Direct Mail Associate

I am grateful for the love of an adoring husband and for the hustle and bustle of children and grandchildren who are a large part of my life. I have healthy parents and step parents in their early 70s. I thank God for a relationship with Him and for meaningful, enduring friendships. And I am blessed to live in a country that celebrates hard-fought freedoms where my family can grow and thrive and feel relatively safe.

In spite of unsettled global economic times, I have enough to share with others. And I have satisfying work in my profession. I count it a privilege to work for an organization that offers so much to families living in desperate poverty. In addition to essential tangibles like water and medicine, we offer the more important, life-changing intangibles of hope and assurance.

I’m happy to work with wonderful people who take their work seriously, treat each other with respect, and still make time for fun.

Thanks CCF for making my work day one of fulfillment and not merely another X on my daily calendar.