Meaning and Values Surrounding the Holiday Are of High Importance
Contact: John Baroody, 212-370-9700
NEW YORK, Nov. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- There's more than one way that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, as revealed in the results of a new poll conducted by www.Guideposts.com. When asked, "How will you be spending Thanksgiving this year?" The top answer, even in this down economy, was 39% of respondents saying: "Traveling to see relatives and friends." Perhaps even more indicative of the state of the economy, the #2 answer was that 24% said they would "Be serving food at a shelter." Other responses were: 14% "Hosting family and friends," 12% "Attending church services" and 11% answered "Not celebrating." The poll was conducted between 11/17 and 11/22 among over 3400 online respondents.
"When we see these results, showing that nearly 1 in 4 of those who took the poll are serving in shelters, it underscores the fact that many Americans take seriously the meaning and values surrounding Thanksgiving - that of gratitude and thankfulness expressed by helping and sharing with others," according to Anne Simpkinson, Online Managing Editor at Guideposts.
"www.Guideposts.com has strong, inspirational content and stories about real people whose faith-filled lives and experiences are an inspiration to all of us this holiday."
Two of the Thanksgiving stories featured on the site highlight the strong commitment people have to helping others during the holidays. The first is "Mr. Thanksgiving" about a Moline, Illinois grocer, Bob Vogelbaugh, whose first little potluck dinner for people in need over 38 years ago has grown to serving thousands of free turkey dinners each year. Another, "Trouble at the Melrose Diner" by Richard Kubach, is about a very special south Philadelphia, PA neighborhood institution that was threatened by a Thanksgiving Day water main flood and about who showed up to help.
Guideposts knows many Americans, including our readers, love to share their good fortunes and help others. These stories and others at www.guidepostsmag.com/thanksgiving/ highlight our shared sense of community, provide holiday inspiration, and help strengthen the values Americans hold dear.
