Happy Thanksgiving Tuesday Memo

 November 23, 2010

Greetings!

Here's a short shout-out to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving.  I pray that you have fun with your family and friends, and that those of us who are fortunate to have family and friends nearby, let's doubly count our blessings.  Let's say an extra prayer for our troops who are still in harm's way in too many parts of the world, and may they come home soon.  May we even see a time when no troops, either ours or others, find themselves in harm's way.

I'd like to thank the many hundreds of volunteers who will be delivering a Turkey dinner to thousands of home-bound seniors through IM and other Meals on Wheels providers all over the Houston region.  I am told that our volunteer ranks for the day are officially "sold-out," which is really a tribute to the overwhelming kindness of the folks who live here in our home town.  May I also remind you that IM has a tradition of giving every one of our home-bound seniors a gift during the Christmas season.  As our numbers grow, so does the need for more presents.  With your help, and the help of many businesses and civic groups, I am sure that we will get gifts of blankets and such to every one of our 4,500 seniors.  We are also looking for gifts, such as new and gently used bikes, for our newly arrived Refugee kids. Click here to learn how you and your family or business can help. 

I am thankful to have the opportunity to serve this community through the good work of IM.  I never take any of your generosity of time and treasure for granted.  I recognize that IM has to continue being a trusted partner with our donors, funders, volunteers and clients to be worthy of your support.  It is my honor to be of service to you.  When I sit down over this weekend to reflect on my many blessings, one of them will surely be the kindness that I have seen exhibited over and over in this great city.  I will thank God for my wife, Alyson, and our children and grandchildren; and be so very thankful to have the privilege to be a citizen of this great country.  And I will ask for the strength to keep on working to help those in need and seek guidance on how I can be a better shepherd to those who work for, volunteer with and contribute to the many successes that have made IM a jewel for this city and region.

Elliot Gershenson

President and CEO

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston