How to Have the Best Thanksgiving Ever

A message from Kathleen McGilvray

Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I send all good wishes to you! There is so much to be thankful for on this beautiful island. But the holidays can also be a challenging time. Tradition says this is when we gather with family—but what if we don’t have a relationship with them? What if they are the very people hurting us?

My secret for a joyful holiday is to gather with Family of Choice, whether that’s blood relations, dear friends, or brand new acquaintances. Create your own traditions where everyone brings a little something to make a whole celebration. You could do an art project, like making ornaments together with found objects that each guest brings. Or a pizza-making contest with a potluck of crazy toppings. Remember that Stone Soup elementary school project? Everyone comes with just their small contribution, and the result is bountiful, greater than the sum of its parts.

This is how I see our YWCA of Hawaii Island ohana too. Each of us doing our small part to serve our community. In this issue we focus on Sexual Assault Support Services, one of YWCA’s three core programs. YWCA is here for victims and survivors of sexual assault, across the entire island, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our ‘ohana of supporters makes this possible; won’t you please consider a donation to YWCA in your annual giving this year as a one-time or recurring gift? Together we can provide healing and empowerment to our most vulnerable citizens so that they can thrive as productive members of our community. That is something we can all be thankful for.

Yours in gratitude,
Kathleen McGilvray, CEO
YWCA of Hawai’i Island