Thanksgiving in July

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for July 2, 2010 edition

For me, Independence Day is like Thanksgiving in July. I like to celebrate both holidays by eating like a horse. The menu is different-hamburgers and ice cream for the former, and turkey and pumpkin pie for the latter.

But, my holiday overeating habit is not really what makes the two days so closely akin in my mind. It is how they both cause me to reflect on how fortunate I am to live in America.

I was viewing a report about the 2009 Operation Christmas Child project when it struck me just how fortunate.

According to the report, Operation Christmas Child distributed 8.2 million shoe box gifts in 108 different countries throughout the world in 2009. Over 77 million have now been distributed to children since 1993 with the vast majority of the gifts coming from the USA. 

On America's 234th birthday, I would like to express my thankfulness for being fortunate enough to live in this exceptional, generous nation where its citizens make up less than five percent of the world's population but are able to willingly, and exponentially, out give the rest of the world at every turn.

I am thankful to have been born here. Millions have risked everything, including their lives-usually by crossing deserts, rivers, and seas-to get into the USA and taste the real freedom I often take for granted.

I am thankful to live in this nation where liberty is still paramount, and where the people always find a way to bounce back from disasters and economic setbacks.

I am thankful to live in this nation where opportunities still abound, and where innovation and entrepreneurship can still be rewarding.

Speaking of  entrepreneurship, I have some July milestones from the Rainsville business community to report. An important addition to the community opened last July, the Rainsville Pediatric Dental Village. As the new home of Dr. Tara Moncus's dental practice, the extraordinary facility serves children and special needs patients. If you have not had the privilege to see inside, there is a photo gallery on rainsvillealabama.com.

Another important milestone, Cornerstone Realty is now eight years old, having been founded in July of 2002. Owner Faye Gaskins is an expert when it comes to real estate matters. She has been very active while serving on countless event committees through the years. She is currently serving on our Rainsville Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800