We have so much to be grateful for but too often we do not take the time during our busy days to spend a few moments being consciously thankful.

 

As we approach our national day of Thanksgiving and the year-end holidays for people of many faiths and traditions, it is a time to remember what we are grateful for at the Council.

 

We are grateful for the more than 250 volunteers who help advocate for the best interests of children in high-conflict custody cases through our Custody Advocacy Program. We are especially grateful for Mary Schilli who coordinated those volunteers for over five years as a volunteer herself, and for Ann Dorsett of McGuireWoods who has undertaken the job this year.

 

We are grateful for the volunteers who lead the Council as Board members, for the former Board members who continue to share their advice and guidance, and for the community volunteers who serve on our committees and help with our events. We are especially grateful for our immediate past Board President Bruce Steen of McGuireWoods who served two years during a challenging time of transition, our current Board President Ed O'Keefe of Moore & Van Allen who is about to end 18 months of leadership during a time of continuing transition, and our Board President-Elect Brandon Lofton of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson who is about to begin an 18-month term during an exciting time of restoration, renewal, and expansion.

 

We are grateful for all of you who have joined the family of child advocates to assure that all children in Mecklenburg County will have a better opportunity to grow up safe, healthy, and educated. You help children overcome obstacles to find better paths to their futures. You have stood up for children and spoken out for them. You have imagined their possibilities and you have contributed to unlocking their potential. We cannot name all of you individually in this message, but please know that we are grateful to each of you.

 

Thank you all.