Thanksgiving: : Show Your Thanks by Sharing Your Blessings Around Atlanta

Its almost Thanksgiving, and folks all over the country are getting ready to watch the Macy's Day Parade, eat tons of turkey and stuffing and pie, and then giving some serious thought to taking a nap before watching football on tv and hanging out with family. Many of us have a lot to be grateful for: family, food, jobs, homes. No matter what our religious belief, we want to show our thanks to the universe for our good fortune.

But what about those people who don't have all of those things? Why not show your gratitude this year by doing something to help those who don't have homes to gather in and plentiful food to eat.

In metro Atlanta, there are many people who need help, and many ways to get involved. Here are just two of them:

If you're athletic and you like to run, the Gobble Jog in Marietta has become a holiday tradition.
Start your Thanksgiving with a 1K or 5K run, a 10K run/walk, or let your little ones take part in the Tot Trot. You will have earned your big meal (and burned off some of the calories in advance,) and all the profits go to profit MUST, a non-profit organization that provides food, shelter and other services for the needy year-round. Last year, over 3300 people participated! If you can't run, you can sign up as a "Phantom Chef," make a donation, and feel good about yourself!

Since 1971, Hosea Feed the Hungry has been providing a Thanksgiving meal for hungry people around Atlanta. They feed thousands (over 8000 in 2006,) and they need over a thousand volunteers for each and every event. If you can donate your time, please do so. Otherwise, please consider making a donation of money or food. See the website listed below for information on how to be a part of this event. A meal like this not only feeds the hungry belly, but also the starving soul.

When you have taken part in one of these activities, you will truly feel how blessed you are and you will have blessed others. Then, you can head off to your own big dinner and catch the tree-lighting at Macy's downtown in person or on TV, and start your Georgia holiday season with a joyful heart!