In this week of Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate to write about the holiday itself as well as the words that comprise it. 

I didn't exactly follow my own advice last week, and am now scrambling to make my shopping list, gather my ingredients, set up my tables, create my centerpieces, and lay out a plan for the next three days. Included in that plan are also things like a child home sick, a school assembly, a trip to the airport to pick up my college daughter (yay!), a doctor's appointment, and other unplanned blips in the day.

It's OK, though. With a little sleep and a lot of caffeine, I know it will all come together, and I am thankful for the ability to host this gathering for my precious family and friends.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to do some giving. As I wrote last week, two of my favorite organizations, A Wider Circle and Norman's Farm Market teamed up to provide a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables for the clients of A Wider Circle – families living in poverty who would not otherwise be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. 

Through the generosity of Norman's customers, a hearty group of volunteers sorted and packed 150 bags and boxes of fresh produce, including sweet potatoes the size of footballs, several varieties of apples, squash, potatoes, turnips, cauliflower complete with the leaves they grow in, and Brussels sprouts on the stalk. (Most people don't even realize they grow on a stalk.) It was an inspiring morning of generosity, teamwork and the sharing of wholesome, healthy food. 

Over the next few days, clients will go home with not only the produce, but bags of groceries and gift cards for turkeys, donated by individuals and groups in the community. If they were lucky enough to stop by that day, they also received a homemade pie from a team of 11-year-old girl softball players who had spent their morning baking. In addition to this special treat for the clients, it was especially powerful for the girls, as they were able to see, first-hand, the impact and appreciation of their efforts.

As the season of giving is just getting started, there are many opportunities to encourage non-monetary, or "social interest" giving with our families and friends. Parent Encouragement Center Educator, Robbye Fox, offered the following tips for encouraging social interest in children:

• Start at home by encouraging each member of the family to do something nice for other family members.
• Think local by helping neighbors.
• Select activities that fit your child's skills, talents or interests.
• Make it a group effort.
• Consider a family service vacation.
• Model the desired behavior.

Dana Nestel, assistant coach of the pie-making softball team, shared that the goal for the effort was for the girls "to realize how important it is to volunteer and how much they can do to help." Based on their question of "when can we do it again?" it seems that their goal was accomplished.

If you have a special giving experience that you would like to share with Patch readers, please e-mail and tell me about it, or post in the comments. While I'm working on some heavier subjects for future articles, this seems like the perfect time to write about what's good in our community. 

Happy Thanksgiving.