Thanksgiving at Children’s Bureau

In the lobby of our Magnolia Place location stands our Thankful Tree, a seasonal children’s craft. Colorful leaves, each with a handwritten note of gratitude from our children and families, adorn the trunk and branches. Decorating the tree was the highlight of our annual Thanksgiving Celebration on November 15.

One of the leaves expresses, “Gracias al programa en el que esta mi hija por darnos ese regalo,” which translates to, “I would like to thank this program, where my daughter is enrolled, for giving us this gift.”

At the dinner, made possible by Lana and Richard Rizika and the LA Kids Dinner Program, families were served a Thanksgiving meal and presented with a generous $50 gift card to Ralph’s. The delicious offerings included traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as ham, turkey, green beans, stuffing, and of course, pumpkin pie. While the families shared their meal, the clowns for the evening, Ruletin and Dolly Molly, bumbled about making balloon animals and taking photos with the cheerful children. Children’s Bureau staff from the Food Marketing Coalition and Champions for Change programs also gave a short presentation on nutrition to go along with the healthy family recipes provided at each table.

On November 18, our Oakwood Family Resource Center their Thanksgiving brunch. The day was filled with delicious food, arts and crafts for the little ones and lots of family bonding.

We hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday celebrating with cherished friends and families, continuously reflecting on and making merry memories.