CAI-NJ Nov. 2021(w)

LOOKING AHEAD ANGELA KAVANAUGH | CAI-NJ CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Pass the turkey, please!

A s we all know from our history, the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, when the Pilgrims and Native American Indians sat down together in celebration of the harvest, putting aside their differences, and feasting on the bounties of food before them. It was a time of recon- ciliation and being appreciative of what they had. The his- torical legend continues to report that fowl was feasted on which could have been turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, or any other large bird. So why is the turkey our Thanksgiving mascot? Fast forward to 1827 when American writer, Sarah James Hale, so-called, “Mother of Thanksgiving:”, became obsessed with establishing the day of Thanksgiving as the second national holiday, matching the importance of Independence Day. In a novel, she introduced the turkey as its star. Over the years she lobbied, writing to five presidents and in 1863, President Lincoln encouraged Americans to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving to unify the country. Years later in 1941, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established Thanksgiving as a legal holiday. For me, Thanksgiving Day is the beginning of the holiday season. It’s a day of reflection on how fortunate I am. A day to spend with people that I love, and the only gifts shared are the time and memories that we make. This year in par- ticular, I’m remembering those that we have lost and cannot be with us, holding them near and dear to our hearts. I am also very thankful for all the CAI-NJ members that have faith in the organization, the dedicated CAI-NJ Board of Directors, our devoted Legislative Action Committee, the 200 volunteers that make up our committees, and the amazing CAI-NJ Team. Thank you everyone for making our chapter the best that it can be, providing exceptional education and resources, fun networking events, and advo- cating for those living in common interest communities!

Coming up this year. On December 9th, we will be hosting the Annual Meeting for all 2022 committee mem- bers followed by a new event, open to all CAI-NJ mem- bers the Winter Break Party held at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge. I hope that you will join us as we close out the year, celebrating with all of you. Please pre-reg- ister at, https://www.cai-nj.org/event-4500040. Giving Back this Holiday Season. The F.A.S.T. Committee will once again, be adopting multiple families in need, through Interfaith Neighbors, to ensure that those fami-

“I am also very thankful for all the CAI-NJ members that have faith in the organization...”

lies can enjoy the holiday season. Please consider supporting the Adopt-A-Family campaign this year. Further information can be found at https://www.cai-nj.org/event-4532077. Save the dates. Plans for 2022 events are already underway. Please mark your calendars as information will be available soon. • Thursday, February 24, 2022 — Annual Awards Celebration • Wednesday, April 6, 2022 — Women’s Leadership Retreat • Tuesday, June 14, 2022 — Annual Golf Outing • Wednesday, October 19, 2022 — Annual Pre-Conference Networking Reception • Thursday, October 20, 2022 — Annual Conference & Expo Wishing all of you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving! n

6

N O V E M B E R , 2 0 2 1