Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday season, and we’ve got plenty to be thankful for here in Queens.
To start, our borough’s residents each stood up for what they believed in, turning out in droves for the Nov. 6 general election. We should be grateful that so many voters decided to step out from the shadows and have their voice heard.
Every vote counts, and while turnout can always improve, we are thankful to have seen an uptick in votes this time around.
We should also continue showing our support for the Department of Sanitation and its employees. While residents and commuters here in Queens and across New York City were rightfully upset at the apparent lack of preparedness for last week’s snowstorm, what’s done is done.
There will, without a doubt, be more snowstorms throughout the winter, and we will continue to rely on the city’s sanitation services to make our commuters safer and easier. We should be grateful for they work they do and their usual efficiency in clearing the roads, even if things aren’t always perfect.
We also must remember to thank our neighbors in Queens, for there are several citizens who deserve to be thanked for their good deeds, charity work and other acts of kindness.
Last week, we ran our first official “Acts of Kindness” story in TimesLedger Newspapers, something we hope will turn into a weekly page in the paper.
Flushing/Fresh Meadows native Angelica Ramirez, a survivor of sexual abuse, understands that victims may not be in a position to enjoy the holiday season. Through her nonprofit organization, Vessel of Life, she offers healing services to women and children victims. They were scheduled to host a free Thanksgiving dinner for survivors.
With crime and negativity often flooding the media, we will continue to search for people like Ramirez who put others before themselves in an effort to help as many people as possible.
So whether you have a neighbor who helps you with your yard work, are friends with someone who volunteers their time helping others, or simply know someone who can put a smile on someone’s face when they’re down, we implore you to reach out and tell their stories.
The holidays are often a time when people look for the best in people and situations. Why not make that a full-time job?
Be thankful for what you have in life and for the people who surround you. We’re not perfect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all use a little more kindness in our lives.
