Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is an American holiday that we, Russian-speaking Americans, have grown to love. When we first arrived in America, we couldn't even imagine how much this wonderful country does for its people. Thanksgiving reminds us of what matters most: how precious are the moments we gather around the table. When family and friends are nearby, when the warmth of human connection is felt stronger than any winter chill.
Today, as a newspaper journalist, I was honored to attend a touching event where turkeys were distributed to charities for the holiday table. Afterward, I shared the turkeys with people who, due to health reasons, couldn't leave their homes and wait in line in the cold. It was a reminder for me: kindness is always an action.
I would like to sincerely thank the event's sponsors: Rita Kagan and Ari Kagan, Sergey Rybak and Mark Gavrilov. This was all made possible thanks to the support of Senator Steve Chen and Assemblymembers Alec Brook-Krasny and Mikhail Novakhov.
A special thank you to all the wonderful people in our community, the volunteers, and the representatives of charitable organizations who, despite their age, health, and the cold day, organized transportation and did everything possible to ensure the American turkeys reached their organizations. I think people were very pleased just to know that someone was thinking of them.
Dear Ari! Let me personally express my gratitude for thinking about people, understanding them, and listening to them. I could approach you on the street and ask a question, and it would be a free legal consultation, because your advice is invaluable.
I would also like to mention the tireless vice-president of the Odessa community, the respected Leonid Nora, member of the board of the Association of Disabled People and Veterans Anna Malkina, president of the Bagrationi Foundation Diana Bagrationi, who came with her husband Valery and son Mikhail Kurtey, who together unloaded and lifted heavy loads.
timidly holding turkeys. Natalia Travilina also received turkeys for Ukrainian refugees—members of TraNa Relief. Representatives of the Holocaust survivors' organization, including Pavel Vishnevetsky, and many other deserving individuals were also present.
Many thanks to the wonderful volunteers Arthur Rotshtein, Anna Shpilkovskaya, Karen Lichtbraun, Fanya Vasilevskaya and others.
Thanks to those behind the scenes – the kind volunteers who delivered turkeys to homes on their day off, bringing joy and a sense of celebration to people.
Thank you all, my dears.
May the coming holidays bring warmth, health and peace to every home.
God Bless America!
Marina Lagunova.
