Giving Thanks and Giving Back

Today First Lady Michelle Obama sent an email to the White House email list to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and encourage Americans to get involved in serving their communities.  If you didn't get the email, you can sign up for the White House email list here.

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to come together with family and friends to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  It's also an important time to be thankful for our men and women in uniform and their families who risk everything so that we can be safe and free.  And we must also remember those in our community who are in need of our help and support -- especially during these tough economic times.  
 
In our family, we have a tradition:  Every year on the day before Thanksgiving, we take some time as a family to help out people in our community who are in need.  Today, we're handing out turkeys, stuffing, pumpkin pies and all the Thanksgiving fixings with our friends and family at Martha's Table, a local non-profit organization.
 
This Thanksgiving, I encourage all Americans to find a way to give back -- and maybe even start a family tradition of your own.  Whether you volunteer at a local soup kitchen, visit the elderly at a nursing home or reach out to a neighbor or friend who comes from a military family, there are plenty of ways to get involved in your community. If you're not sure how to get started, visit Serve.gov. 

 
President Obama and I wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
 
Sincerely,
 
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States