Growing up I was lucky to have parents who valued the act of giving to others all year long, but especially during the holiday season when so much seems to revolve around what we want. They taught my 3 siblings and me that giving to others less fortunate was a really important thing to do and made it an integral part of our lives.
I remember my mom would volunteer every month to serve with Meals on Wheels, and we would help her load up all the tins of food in coolers in our car and deliver them around lunchtime, and how excited we were to meet every person on the list. We also worked at the food pantry and local soup kitchens, making sure that hot meals were cooked and served to those who needed them. And I always remember every year around this time we would head to the mall or local big box store with my parents, and we would each get to pick a child’s name off the Christmas trees at the entrance. We would spend what seemed like hours picking out the perfect gift for them and then race home to wrap it up with ribbons and bows. I am so thankful that my parents placed service so high up on their list of priorities. It has definitely made me who I am today as I love helping those that need a helping hand, giving back to others, and surprising people with random acts of kindness just to put a smile on their face. And now that I have 4 little ones I want to teach them exactly like my parents taught me. Give to those in need. Give to those less fortunate then you are. Just Give. Over the past 5 years we have started our own family tradition of giving by sending off shoeboxes to Operation Christmas Child. This is truly an amazing organization that gives to children in need in countries all around the world. My kids love going on a wild shopping spree to help less fortunate children. They pick out toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and accessories like socks, hair bands, and sunglasses. Then they come home and stuff their shoeboxes full and send them on their way. They can even track which country their shoebox full of goodies went to! I just love how my kids are learning that serving others is a way of life! And one company that also thinks serving others is an important part of life is New York Life. They are donating 25 meals to Feeding America for every tweet that includes #KeepGoodGoing and hashtag #FeedingAMillion. 25 MEALS!!! That is awesome!!! Plus they are encouraging people to share your own special Keep Good Going moments and experiences by tweeting and using their twitter handle @NewYorkLife. New York Life is also giving away one $50 VISA Gift Card and a $50 donation on behalf of BlogHer in the winner’s name to Feeding America. To enter just tell me in the comments below, “What are you thankful for this holiday season?”
*Through 1/9/15, New York Life will donate $2.50 for each approved post, with a minimum of $25K & a maximum of $100K. See full terms and conditions at NewYorkLife.com/CelebratingGood. Find info about Feeding America at feedingamerica.org.
Good Luck! Love, Maggie
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 12/1/2014 – 12/31/2014.
Be sure to visit the New York Life brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Chelsea says
I am most thankfull for my hard working husband. He works hard so I can be home with our kids in a warm house with everything we need. Not sure what I would do with out him!
Jacqueline says
This holiday season I am thankful for my husband. I am so lucky to have him as my partner on this journey.
Mami2jcn says
I’m thankful for my husband and kids.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/539577728203112449
Elena says
I am thankful for my family.
Elena says
tweet: https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/539607770505310208
Nicole D says
I am Thankful for having my finances in control this year, better then last year I must say, and I am thankful for my husband.
Nicole D says
Twitter Shared: https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/539623491004137474
Kelly D says
I am thankful for my 2 kids and husband.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/539627919207702528
Christine says
Our girls love filling their shoeboxes, which look very similar to yours! I think it is such a great way to get the kids involved and learning that not everyone has what they do and how to make a difference.
Julie Wood says
I am thankful for my Dad being here this Holiday season and not being sick anymore!! I am thankful that all of my sisters and brothers will be spending the Holidays with me! And I am so thankful for my new baby niece who was born a few weeks ago-healthy!
Julie Wood says
Tweet Entry
https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/539788614021181441
heather says
I am thankful for family friends and pets.
OFG says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/540677668027793408
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
OFG says
I’m thankful for my amazing family and most amazing gift of all; my three year old son.
Madeline says
I’m thankful for a wonderful hubby, and my darling daughter, and parents who are still alive.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/541332130035298304
rachel says
Friends who have babies and share their wisdom with me! 🙂
Jessie C. says
I am thankful for my parents this holiday season.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/541792764514410496
Kaitlin says
I’m thankful for my lord and savior Jesus Christ, my husband, my family, friends, a roof over our head, and food!
Kaitlindotbolesatgmaildotcom
anna pry says
i’m thankful for the many ways God provided for us this year pryfamily5@gmail.com
LaTanya says
I’m thankful for my life and my family
LaTanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/543060797300035584
tina m says
I just had a baby one month ago. I’m thankful to have him.
tina m says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/543107740961214465
D Schmidt says
I am very thankful for my Husband and children.
D Schmidt says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/544240965293051904
ANGEL JACKLYN says
I AM THANKFUL FOR HAVING A ROOF OVER MY HEAD & BEING IN A GOOD OFF POSITION IN LIFE! THANK YOU LORD!
ANGEL JACKLYN says
TWITTERED TOO! https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/545362235225149441
Susan Smith says
I’m thankful for my husband and two children and that we are all healthy.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/545601105489833985
Gina M says
I am thankful for my family’s health and happiness!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/545718212424638464
Kristen says
I’m thankful for my friends, my family and my health.
Kristen says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/546912216738316288
LAMusing says
I’m thankful my mom’s health is better this year!
Norma says
I’m thankful for my daughter.
erica best says
i am thankful for my family and friends
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/548591242540367872
Shannon says
Im thankful my father came home better after a visit to the hospital!!
Shannon says
https://mobile.twitter.com/shiebs24b/status/548691578194116608
Rebecca Graham says
I am thankful for my friends and family.
Betty C says
I am thankful for a supportive family and a steady job that pays for the necessities of life.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/548814061480058880
kjasus says
i am thankful for my husband and son
kjasus says
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/548842226957029377
Lisa Brown says
I am thankful for my husband and being married
Lisa Brown says
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/549243408393330689
steve weber says
I’m thankful for the time off work.
Ellie Wright says
I’m thankful my recent biopsy for breast cancer came back benign.
eswright18 at gmail dot com
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/550031448036483072
Sandy Klocinski says
A roof over my head and a warm home. Few things feel better than to reflect upon having warm home and a roof over my head when it is cold and windy outside and I can hear the rain beating hard on my window.
Sandy Klocinski says
https://twitter.com/Attea2d/status/550042709751504896
Francine Anchondo says
for my family
Sandy Klocinski says
Plenty of drinkable water. I love water and drink plenty of it every day. It is certainly something I take for granted from time to time. But it is not a given. 780 million people lack access to safe drinking water according to water.org.
Sandy Klocinski says
https://twitter.com/Attea2d/status/550043467569561600
Margaret Smith says
I am thankful for my family and being able to spend Christmas with my love ones. My brother and his family and my Dad live out of state and I’m so grateful that we are able to spend the Holidays together.
Denise L says
I’m thankful that for my health. I’ve watched so many people I love deal with sickness throughout my life. Every day of health is something to rejoice over!
Denise L says
tweet https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/550058779329323009
Lisa V. says
I’m thankful for my friends and family.
Stephanie Larison says
I’m thankful for my 2 healthy daughters and my husband’s job.
Daniel M says
for friends and family
denise a says
I am thankful for God and my family
Ed says
I am thankful for a paycheck.
Theresa Smith says
I am thankful for my family and that we have a roof over our heads and some food on the table.
Cori Westphal says
I’m thankful that Christmas isn’t so tight this year! It’s been a pretty good year!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Erica B. says
For my health.
Rosanne says
I am thankful we had 22 here for Christmas -my husband, all my sons and their wives and children and my husbands relatives and a very good friend of mine.
Rosanne says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rosannepm/status/550144603631144961
Debbie B says
i am thankful for my family and for my home
letessha w. says
I am most thankful for the love from my family.
Barbara Montag says
I’m so thankful for my good health at age 63.
thank you
Barbara Montag says
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/550164122180935682
Kiara says
I am thankful for my family.
austma7@aol.com
Holly G. says
I’m thankful that my family’s excited about 2015 and has so much hope for the future!
joe gersch says
I am thankful for my family
Aaron says
I am thankful the season is nearly over.
Buddy Garrett says
I am thankful for my family.
Amanda Sakovitz says
im thankful for my family
Chi Shannon says
I am thankful for my daughters! 🙂 They are truly awesome and wonderful people! I’m also thankful for life itself 🙂 Things are pretty good right now and I hope they continue to be the same next year 🙂
Chi Shannon says
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/550328680765865985
Debbi Wellenstein says
I am ever thankful for my children, my grandchildren, and my husband.
toddy says
I am so thankful for my family and a roof over our head and food to eat.
angie says
I am thankful that my mother, who turned 71 this year, is healthy as a horse. She does yoga, rides her bike, walks, bodysurfs, swims, water aerobics, water zumba, etc. She is healthier than I am! LOL
Regina M. says
That my mom survived serious burns, and for the people at the burn center who made it possible.
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/550367331797307394
Denise S says
I’m thankful for my hard working husband and my healthy children.
maria cantu says
Thankful for my three children.
Thomas Murphy says
I am thankful for my family.
Cathy Truman says
I am most thankful for my wonderful husband who learned to walk again after
having a stroke and was told he would not walk again,
Tabathia B says
I am thankful my daughter has been healthy and didn’t have to spend holidays in the hospital
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/550390177525288960
tbarrettno1 at gmail.com
T Michelle Trump says
I am thankful for my hubby and our health!
T Michelle Trump says
I tweeted about the giveaway as @tmt121172 on 12/31/14
CCynthia says
I am thankful that I don’t have to worry about my basic needs like so many others do.
HilLesha says
I’m thankful for every moment. I’m thankful for God, my family and best friend. I’m thankful for being healthy. I’m thankful for having the basic necessities, such as having a place to live and food. Needless to say, I’m thankful for everything. 🙂
CCynthia says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/550402915655880705
Candie L says
I am thankful for time off of work so I can reengerize. Thank you
WHITNEY says
I am thankful for my fiance.
Kathy Pease says
I am thankful for all the wonderful people who have been a part of my life
Kathy Pease says
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/550413365927890944
sarah hirsch says
i am thankful for my husband and kids
Sarah L says
I am thankful for good friends, good health and a warm house.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/550448220476686336
Debbie B says
here is my tweet link!
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/550449457674731520
Lisa A. says
I’m thankful for family, good health and and a good job.
AndreaH says
I am thankful for so much this holiday season but the main thing I am thankful for is being able to have another year to celebrate with my parents.