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Guest Commentary

Lehrer: Being thankful, expressing gratitude

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As we turn another page on the calendar, we enter this upcoming holiday season with gratitude and appreciation.

We continue to emerge from the darkest days of COVID and are thankful that we can once again spend time with friends and embrace family despite some ongoing struggles.

The ongoing war in Ukraine, world-wide economic fears and inflation causing rising costs of food, gasoline, utilities and housing are a burden for many.  We have lived with such downturns before in our lives and know that sharing with those less fortunate helps ease the burden. Compassion and caring affords us the opportunity to help in whatever ways we can.

Reach out to neighbors and offer to share a meal. Or just make sure they are doing okay. Food banks need donations; if you’re able and volunteering your time can make a huge difference. Right here we have many ways for you to help out, including participating in the annual Santas for Seniors project or just being merry at the Sun City Holiday Celebration 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, where all proceeds from the fun and games will benefit the Sun City Foundation. While we’ve needed to relocate this event to Sundial Center, 14801 N. 103rd Ave., this year due to the Viewpoint Lake project, it promises to once again be a fun-filled event for all ages. If you’re in town, you won’t want to miss it. Dress festive and enjoy the celebration.

We are also fortunate that we live in a democratic society where we can express our concerns by voicing our opinions and voting in upcoming elections. Each and every candidate — whether running for national or state office, in local/municipal races and, yes, even the Recreation Centers of Sun City Board of Directors elections — affords us the opportunity to have our say. A historic voter turnout in this year’s elections could drastically change the future direction of our nation, our state and Sun City.

Please do what you can. Please do what you believe is right. Please know that your vote counts and that our actions matter. And always remember, future generations are counting of us.