Last week, Goodwill Ambassadors – community members who volunteer and support Goodwill Manasota’s (Sarasota) work throughout the area – from the First United Methodist Church of Sarasota donated 30 turkeys and Thanksgiving baskets to the organization’s Veterans Services Program. These items were provided so that area veterans could enjoy a delicious holiday meal with their families.
In all, 30 veterans – 15 from Manatee, FL and 15 from Sarasota – collected the turkeys and Thanksgiving baskets from the Goodwill Veterans Services Program offices.
“We are honored to help our heroes every day of the year with housing, education and employment assistance. Each and every day, our dedicated Veterans Services Program staff works to make sure our veterans get the help they need to provide for their families,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “This time of year can be devastating for those who can’t afford the beautiful Thanksgiving meal that many of us tend to take for granted. We are thankful for partners like our friends at the First United Methodist Church of Sarasota for helping us give back in such a meaningful way. We would like to wish all of our veterans, Ambassadors and community members a very happy Thanksgiving.”
“There is much to learn about service and sacrifice from our veterans,” said Rev. Art McClellan. “First Church’s Thanksgiving focus to serve God while sacrificially serving others in our community brought us to this unique opportunity to show our gratitude to both our veterans and our community partners at Goodwill.”
This is the second year that Goodwill has partnered with the First United Methodist Church to distribute turkeys, holiday gifts and Thanksgiving baskets.