Thanksgiving is our national day of prayer. It’s the day that we, as a nation, reflect on our many blessings. Our economy might be in a tailspin, but we still have plenty of blessings.

First of all, we give thanks that we live in a free country. Secondly, we give thanks for our family and friends. We’re also thankful for our health. As the saying goes, “When you have your health, you have everything.”

I know that Anthony Gravina is grateful this Thanksgiving. Anthony attends Glenbard North High School and recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor presented to a Boy Scout.

For Anthony’s Eagle Scout project, he collected toys and food for Carol Stream-based Humanitarian Service Project. In case you’re unfamiliar, HSP was started in 1979 by Karole Kettering. Like Anthony, she wanted to help needy DuPage families. One toy at a time, Kettering started collecting Christmas toys and storing them in a spare bedroom.

Today, HSP stores toys and food in a 15,000-square-foot warehouse. Last Christmas, Kettering’s nonprofit organization provided 145 DuPage families with 1,400 toys and three weeks’ worth of groceries. That’s 23 tons of food.

I’m sure those families were grateful. I’m also sure that there are more families in need this year. Many of those in need are seniors. If you’re able to donate or can volunteer at the Carol Stream location, call (630) 221-8340. 
 
Trimming trees in Roselle

The village of Roselle is grateful that members of local youth groups have volunteered to decorate evergreen trees outside Village Hall, 31 S. Prospect Ave. The village’s 11th annual tree-trimming will be between Monday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 28.

Youth groups, clubs and classes with members younger than 18 are welcome to register by calling (630) 671-2819.
 
Light parade and tree-lighting ceremony

Glendale Heights residents can be thankful for electricity. At 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, there will be a light parade from Camera Park to Village Hall on Fullerton Avenue. Applications for participation are online at www.glendaleheights.org.

At 6:30 p.m., the vocal sounds of Christmas will fill Civic Center Plaza. Then, Mayor Linda Jackson will flip the switch and zillions of tiny lights will illuminate the Glendale Heights Village Tree. 

After the collective “ooh and aah,” the Glendale Heights Special Events Commission will provide free hot cocoa and cookies – another thing to be grateful for.