Our President & CEO Patty McIlreavy shares a special message for Week of Gratitude, reflecting on the importance of appreciation, kindness and compassion. 

Gratitude. Kindness. Appreciation.

In the early days of the pandemic, we practiced and witnessed acts of kindness in a multitude of ways.

What have we kept from that time?

In a world on fire – with earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and wars pulling our attention and stretching the wells of our empathy – have we continued to demonstrate appreciation and compassion?

I believe we have, even when it’s hard.

Sometimes, the demands on us drain us – emotionally and physically.

And yet, even on our darkest days, a kind word, a hug or some other symbol of appreciation raises our spirit.

And what better example of gratitude than practicing and accepting kindness?

On behalf of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, I thank you. For your support to us, for your efforts on the frontlines of disaster response and recovery, and for your intentionality in seeing and helping those in need.