What Are You Thankful For?

A common question that is asked as Thanksgiving approached is "What are you thankful for?" Many people who contribute to the East Meadow community wanted a venue to make these feelings public, so check below.

Edward Mangano, Nassau County Executive

• I'm thankful for the generosity of many Long Island families who are donating food, clothing and toys to help those most needy this holiday season.

Kate Murray, Town Supervisor

• I am grateful to the men and women who have embraced the spirit of that first Thanksgiving in 1621. Just as Native Americans helped the pilgrims survive a harsh winter in a new home, people with caring hearts and civic spirit are reaching out to those in need. From collecting food and serving meals at local soup kitchens to donating winter coats for area families, we are blessed with the spirit of giving in our township. I invite everyone to help those in need this Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

Thomas McKevitt, Assemblyman, R-East Meadow

• I am most thankful for my beautiful wife and children.  They inspire me in everything I do, and the greatest feeling in the world is when they hug me after I have been in Albany for several days.

Gary Hudes, Councilman

• I am thankful for the extremely caring members of the community that have been organizing food/ gift certificate drives for many weeks now, to make sure that families (that would otherwise have a bleak Thanksgiving), will be able to have a pleasant holiday meal together with food on their table. This is a very caring and giving community.

Dr. Steven Walerstein, Medical Director of Nassau Healthcare Corporation and Columnist

• I'm thankful for family and health— with those in place, everything is possible.

John J. O'Brien, Ex-Fire Chief, East Meadow Fire Dept.

• I am thankful for my wife Teresa for all her love, friendship and support in anything I ever set out to do in life...as well as her coffee.
  My three great kids John, Jennifer, and Jimmy, who I have enjoyed watching grow as they continue to make me prouder each day. My sister Janet for all her support and friendship growing up. For all my friends that have meant so much to me over the years.  My career that has enabled me to be successful in life.  Our military for protecting us day and night allowing us to live each day in freedom and enjoy the life we sometimes can take for granted.   

Kevin Regan, Athletic Director, East Meadow High School

• I consider myself to be a very fortunate person so I have much to be thankful for.  Most important to me is the love and support of my baby daughter and beautiful wife.  Having our health and being able to share time and experiences with friends and family is very important.  Lastly, being able to do a job I truly enjoy with people I care about helps me to come to work with a smile on my face every day.  I am blessed!

Michael Ganci, Editor

• I am thankful for my family and friends, as well as my job, health and my freedoms. As far as Patch goes, I am thankful that East Meadow has been so welcoming as we try to assimilate into the community, and I look forward to seeing this publication become the number one news source for East Meadow.
  

Carol Nissenbaum, Calendar Editor, Copy Editor and Columnist

• I am thankful to have a sweetheart of a guy named Mike Ganci as my boss at Patch! I am also thankful for my hard-working, amazing husband of 25 years, my two healthy and obnoxious children, my adorable dog, my wonderful friends and my (very messy) house.

Alan Krawitz, Contributor

• I'm thankful for my family and a small but faithful circle of friends that truly care; for good health and for having not just work during these challenging economic times, but work that's meaningful and can make a difference. I'm also thankful that I'm still in a position to help other people and make the lives of those less fortunate  just a bit brighter. 

Judy Lewis, Columnist

• I am thankful for the love of my family, to feel safe from harm and the freedom that I have to worship according to my beliefs.

Lyndsay Holt, Contributor

• I am thankful for my wonderful brother and hysterical boyfriend, who give me more than my fair share of both laughter and love. I could never express just how thankful I am for those two. 

Robert Rollins, Contributor

• I am thankful for the love and support of my friends, family and new
  fiance, all of whom make the person I am today. I am thankful for the
  support and being able to come full circle back home to cover sporting
  events that I myself used to be a part of, and of course  for the
  readers of the East Meadow Patch.

Rick Karas, Contributor

• I am thankful for my family, to lean on, and to love...
  Thankful for my friends to laugh with, and depend on.
  I am thankful for heat in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer,
  And a roof over my head, and carpeting at my feet.
  I am thankful there is always something new to try, as well as learn,
  Thankful I can imagine and dream, work and play...
  I thank whoever brought me to where I am,
  And thank whatever it is that keeps me here.
  And as always, I thank you for reading, Happy Thanksgiving from Patch!

Nicole Murphy, Contributor

• I am and always will be thankful for the family and friends I am blessed with. This year especially I am thankful to have met my wonderful boyfriend, and in such a struggling economy I am very grateful to have a job that I love. 

Lynne Murray, Contributor

• I am thankful for the many opportunities that have come upon me in the last year, and for my family for supporting me through the hard times.

Kim Plummer, Contributor

• I am thankful to have a family that loves and supports me. I'm also thankful for my Grandma and her delicious sweet potato pie that she'll be making this Thanksgiving. I'm appreciative of the fact that I live in a community that really has the best of all worlds. It's close to the city, we're surrounded by beautiful state parks, and there's great food from all over the world in our town.

Jacqueline Kendrick, Contributor

• I'm thankful for my life, at this point. Given the horrendous robbery I had to endure, every moment of safety and peace I can enjoy truly are blessings. I'm also thankful for my family and the friends I hold dear, those who make sure to let me know that I am loved and those to whom I can return my love.