"Every year at Thanksgiving, I am asked the same question: What are you thankful for? There’s a lot in life to be thankful for; Thoughtful friends and a loving family, good grades and a warm place to sleep, but there is one thing I am especially grateful for this year: compassion. Com-passion is the reason we as people are compelled to help one another, to feel for one another, and to support one another. Without compassion, life itself would lose its most endearing quality. I am thankful for the compassion that I am greeted with every single day, and it is the gift that I will be giving back this Thanksgiving. How about you?"
Mia Wachtel, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education student member
"There’s a lot of things to be thankful for this holiday season. We’re so thankful to our loyal regulars that have supported us through the years as well as new guests who have taken their valuable time to spend with us too. We’re incredibly thankful to our staff and their families...they are the real backbone of Upper West. Happy holidays and may you all be bestowed with a healthy and prosperous New Year!!!"
Nick Shipp, chef of Upper West
"As we enter this season of giving, I want to express my thanks for the hard work and dedication toward student achievement, creating safe school environments, and our district goals, by all staff, certificated and classified, throughout the year. I am thankful to be part of Santa Monica and Malibu, which are two very caring and generous communities always looking out for the best interests of our families, staff, and community members.
I wish everyone in Santa Monica and Malibu, and all your loved ones, a healthy, safe, warm, and Happy Thanksgiving."
Dr. Ben Drati, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent
"I am thankful for my wonderful family; my husband, children, and siblings who inspire and make me proud every day. I am thankful for the great team here at SMPD that I am fortunate enough to be part of. And I am thankful for this engaged and connected community we all serve."
Cynthia Renaud, Santa Monica Chief of Police
"I am deeply thankful for all the amazing people and non-profits in my district who are constantly working to reduce homelessness. Thanks to LA Family Housing in the Valley, Safe Place for Youth and St. Joseph's Center in Venice, The People Concern in Santa Monica, and Blessed Sacrament and PATH in Hollywood, tens of thousands of men, women, and families, young and old, are moving from homelessness to homes. The lack of affordable housing in this region makes this crisis very challenging, but we are making progress, and I am eternally grateful for the caring dedication of all the people making that progress possible."
Sheila Kuehl, Los Angeles County Supervisor
"We are thankful for 42 years on the Santa Monica Pier. We are thankful for the opportunity to represent our great city at one of the best travel destinations in the world. We are thankful to our community, their patience and pride in working with us to make the Santa Monica Pier even better. We are thankful to our city for caring about legacy, small family businesses. We are thankful to be a green business on a green Pier and hopeful that others will carry our message forward and make positive impacts in their community."
Greg Morena, Santa Monica City Council member and owner of The Albright
