Happy Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we asked our team to answer a question: What are you thankful for? The responses were heartfelt and joyful. Zany but wonderful families came up more than once, as did the workplace. The list of things we are thankful for is long and heartfelt.

“I’m thankful for my health, friends who make DC home, friends who keep me grounded from miles away, my slightly psychotic but overly loving family, and most importantly Carson Wentz.” Helen

“I’m thankful for a great first year working at Responsibility.org this Thanksgiving! It is a pleasure to work alongside such motivated and passionate people to make the world a safer place!” Madeleine

“I’m thankful for my voice this Thanksgiving. Sharing ideas, voicing opinions, laying down the law, standing up for myself and others, and even arguing and asking questions. It’s a wonderful time to be a woman with a voice that is heard and respected. I’m grateful that I have learned how to use my voice to promote kindness, provoke thought and conversation, and bring laughter and comfort to those around me.” Erin Hildreth

“I’m thankful for God’s grace and guidance, our health and safety, a stable and rewarding job, family and friends we love who lift us up when we grieve and who we share our joys and sorrows with. I am thankful for the ability to forgive and be forgiven and for giving and receiving love that is unconditional. I am truly thankful for life and the opportunity to navigate it in a way that will help others.” Brandy

“I am thankful for my health, for being able to start and finish triathlons or just run a Turkey Trot.  I am thankful for my husband, who said “I will” be by your side and your personal cheerleader the day we got married and has not let me down yet!  I am thankful for my children, who are blessings that force me to be a better and stronger person every day. I am thankful for a job that matters and makes a difference.

I am thankful for my parents and family, who have taught me that crazy is a lot of fun. I am thankful for good friends, quality over quantity. I am thankful for holidays and birthdays, because any day worth celebrating is a day to be thankful for. I am thankful for Swedish Fish, because we all need a little sweetness (and a guilty pleasure) in our lives. I am thankful I have the opportunity to volunteer and give back as a means of giving thanks for my blessings. I am thankful for the freedom I have to pray and hope for the endless potential of good in the world.” Maureen

“This Thanksgiving I want to give thanks to weekend mornings. Yes, Saturday and Sunday mornings are what I appreciate now more than ever. Knowing that I get to sleep in, past my normal 6:30am rising time brings me immense joy. The days of sleeping until noon may be long gone for me, but arising for the day at my own decided time is really a blessing.

I know sleeping until 9:30am doesn’t exactly sound like the highlight of a 20-somethings weekend, but let me tell you, it is. I’ve never been an early morning person, even in college the thought of having a class before 11am was too much for me. Some days my first class wasn’t until 2pm, and let me tell you I wasn’t exactly the first person in the room for those either. Over the years I’ve noticed I’m more of a “later in the day” person. I wouldn’t say I’m a straight up night owl, because I actually like to complete my work during the day, as early (clearly not too early) as possible. But, I do enjoy my nights. I enjoy that time to catch up things, handle personal hobbies, or really just relax. So as a downfall of that my mornings suffer. And to tell the truth, I could get a full eight hours of sleep and still not want to get up before 9 or 10am. So, this Thanksgiving I want to shine a light on the two days of week that allow me to recharge. Every Saturday and Sunday morning I catch up on valuable missed time between me and my bed. Thank you weekend mornings.” Derrick

“This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for becoming a member of the Responsibility.org family! As I look ahead to the end of this year and the beginning of the next, I’m also thankful for my excitement to spend this time doing what I love for a cause I am passionate about!” Sheila

“I am thankful for my supportive family, my coworkers who cheer me on, and our Director of Operations, Senta Boardley, for always keeping our kitchen well stocked. I’m also extremely grateful to my parents who continue to give a home to Snax the cat, who I rescued off the mean streets over five years ago.” Genevieve

“I’m thankful that I get to spend my weekdays surrounded by people who support me, push me to be my best and make me laugh. I’m thankful for my health (shoutout Helen Gaynor & Orange Theory Fitness!), for my family and friends who have been and will be there for me through the ups and downs of life, and for the absurd amount of mashed potatoes I’ll consume on Thanksgiving.” Georgia

“I’m thankful for the many opportunities I have to collaborate with dedicated and passionate leaders from across the country who are committed to saving lives every day. I’m also thankful that I now get to celebrate Thanksgiving in both October and November!” Erin Holmes

"I’m thankful for my determined daughter, vulnerable son, tolerant husband, mother’s love, grandfather’s work ethic, family’s support, loyal friends, passionate colleagues, creative vendors, and encouraging boss. I’m also thankful for the ability to volunteer places close to my heart – Best Buddies Capital Region and my children’s school. I’m also thankful for old family photographs, safe cars, peonies, blue and white everything, gin and tonics with two limes, and cheese." Leslie

"I am thankful for… My 3 dynamic men. A family full of colorful folks. The Responsibility.org team. God’s grace and forgiveness. Chocolate (ALL kinds). The means to help others in need AND chocolate. Happy holiday to all!" Senta

"Good kids. Happy marriage. Clear conscience. Chips and salsa. Country music. Others who give so much. Great people to work with. Peace and quiet." Ralph

From all of us at Responsibility.org, we hope you have an abundance of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We certainly appreciate all of you and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!