I have a secret to share, dear readers: I had my doubts. Over the past few weeks, anxiety consumed me as I feared we wouldn’t be able to gather the necessary funds for this year’s Thanksgiving Initiative. With so many worthy causes vying for support, and countless families struggling, my concerns were real. Despite a steady influx of donations, requests for assistance poured in faster than we could manage. I began drafting heartfelt apologies, resigning myself to the reality that not everyone who sought help would receive it. I just didn’t think we could pull it off…
But we did! We exceeded our expectations. In less than a month, we raised an astounding $114,516, enabling us to support 2,152 families who can now enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner without the stress of financial burden. WE DID IT!
To everyone who contributed or shared our mission, thank you! Your trust in the connections made through this platform and your belief in the power of community have made a significant impact. You truly made a difference.
Soon, you should receive an email regarding “your” family. Please keep an eye on your inbox; we’ve had a few issues with bounce-backs and some messages landing in spam folders. If you haven’t heard from us by November 21, please reach out for assistance.
A special thanks goes to InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions, who made the gift card distribution seamless and enjoyable to work with. Their support has earned our loyalty for years to come. Also, a big shout-out to Nehemiah Manufacturing Co. for their incredible social media efforts that went above and beyond what we expected.
We are grateful to WhatsUpMoms for creating an outstanding book trailer, with proceeds benefiting the Thanksgiving Initiative, and to the non-profit Together Rising, founded by Glennon Melton of Momastery, for their generous support. If you missed out on contributing to this project, don’t forget to check out their wonderful Holiday Hands initiative.
I want to personally acknowledge a few key individuals: my co-authors from the Home Insemination Kit’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays, who generously donated their book proceeds to the Thanksgiving Initiative. Your commitment is inspiring! A heartfelt thank you to Callie, Sharon, Kristin, and Jessica, who moderated my message boards and rallied the community to give. I am also grateful to Samantha for her tireless efforts in managing the site, allowing me to focus solely on the Thanksgiving Initiative during these busy months.
Additionally, I appreciate Charisse and Cris for overseeing the Confessional, the spark that ignited this movement. Thank you to Julie for taking on this project with grace and keeping me grounded, and to the board for their unwavering dedication. Finally, a huge thank you to Mikki and Love, who work throughout the year on Scary Mommy and focus on making Thanksgiving special for families in need during this period. Your passion and commitment inspire me daily.
Once again, thank you all for your generosity, sharing, and belief in this initiative, even when I had my doubts. I should have had more faith. Here’s to a joyful Thanksgiving for everyone!
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Summary:
In 2014, the Thanksgiving Initiative raised over $114,000 in less than a month, providing support to over 2,000 families for their holiday meals. The success of this project relied on the generosity of donors and the hard work of many individuals and organizations. A heartfelt thank you was extended to all contributors and partners, celebrating the power of community and generosity.