While my wonderful Thanksgiving with family reminded me of the many things I have in my personal life to be thankful for, I also thought about the many work-related reasons to say thanks.
I am very thankful the voters of Hamilton County have enough faith in this agency to pass a levy that will assist us in serving the families and children of our community. Not only did the voters support us, but we had the assistance of many community partners and individual donors who helped finance a campaign to educate voters. I am extremely grateful.
I am thankful to the many people in this community who step up throughout the year to help abused and neglected children. I am especially reminded of this at the holidays. First Financial Bank and Roddell McCullough have financed a party for the children who are in our permanent care. Amber Gray and her Where2Next Foundation are buying gifts and throwing a party for our older teens in Independent Living. Jack’s Closet, a ministry of Clough United Methodist Church, is helping our kinship families with basic needs that arise when you must suddenly take in young children to keep them safe.
In addition, many, many people have donated to our FAMILY Fund to help foster children have normal childhood experiences, such as taking a field trip, going to summer camp, making a college visit or funding technology to complete necessary school work. We could not do this job without the community support we receive.
I am especially thankful for the employees who work hard every day to make sure families and children in Hamilton County have a better tomorrow. We have about 900 employees who help our community’s residents feed their families, get medical care for their children, ensure safe child care and find and train for jobs. They help ensure the basic needs of children – food, shelter, clothing and more – are met. They protect the youngest and oldest most vulnerable members of our community.
Most of all, I am thankful for you. Those of you reading this are among our strongest supporters; and you are no doubt members of all or most of the groups I have mentioned. You are voters who have faith in us. You are community members who support us and our children, either through volunteer work, financial donations or other types of services. You are employees who make me proud every day.
Thank you, and have a great Christmas.
