A New York Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Message Rooted in Tradition and Community
New York Assemblyman Karl Brabanec is reminding New Yorkers what Thanksgiving has always been about: gathering together, uplifting one another, and embracing the spirit of gratitude. As the holiday approaches, he encourages families, friends, neighbors, and volunteers to extend kindness to those who may need it most.

A Holiday Built on History
Brabanec reflects on Thanksgiving’s origins, tracing it back to 1621 when Plymouth colonists shared a three-day harvest feast with the Wampanoag people — an early example of two very different cultures coming together in unity. The tradition evolved through the centuries, becoming nationally recognized first by President George Washington in 1789 and later solidified as a permanent national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Today, Americans still gather on the fourth Thursday of November, honoring a tradition that blends gratitude, food, and fellowship.

Modern Thanksgiving: Giving Back and Lifting Up
While the core values of gathering and giving thanks remain unchanged, Brabanec notes that today’s Thanksgiving carries an added mission: ensuring that families in need have a warm, safe place to celebrate. Across New York, thousands step forward each year to donate food, volunteer at pantries, assemble holiday baskets, and deliver meals to seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. In Assembly District 98 and across the state, the generosity is unmistakable.

How New Yorkers Can Get Involved
For those looking to give back, Brabanec highlights several options. New Yorkers can donate to the New York State Regional Food Bank, find additional food banks across the state through Feeding New York State, or participate in a Turkey Trot benefiting local charities.

He closes with a heartfelt wish: from his family to yours, may this Thanksgiving be warm, safe, and filled with gratitude.