Dear Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving!

As a San Diegan and Californian, I have a lot to be thankful for.

I'm grateful for the spirit of generosity, compassion, creativity and open-mindedness that helps make San Diego such a special place to live.

It was thirty-three years ago, in October of 1985, that I moved here. On Thanksgiving Day that year, my nephew Tommy was born. I was thankful to be with my twin sister and to welcome my nephew into the world.   

This year, my sister and nephew will be back in San Diego to enjoy Thanksgiving with me and Jennifer and our dogs, Haley and Joey. We'll extend that family time together to celebrate Tommy's birthday. 

Given all of the violence, divisiveness and anxiety that seems to be swirling around us these days, I'm grateful to have family around me. I'm thankful to live in a wonderful neighborhood - I have great neighbors who are warm and inviting. And I'm grateful for the trust you've placed in me to be your public servant, representing our community in the California State Senate.  

In past years, Jennifer and I spent the day at our local LGBT Community Center that opens its doors to serve a hearty Thanksgiving meal. We are mindful of all the people in our community who are without a roof over their heads, a warm meal on their table, or even family to share it with.

This Thanksgiving, thousands of our fellow Californians are reeling from the loss of loved ones, homes and livelihoods as a result of the devastating Camp Fire near Chico - now the deadliest and most destructive in state history - and the Woolsey Fire, which has swept across the hills of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. We don't yet know the full death toll of these fires, and we may never be able to put a price on what we've lost. More than 700 people are still missing as of this writing.

I'm eternally grateful for the first responders working so hard to save lives and property. In addition to risking their lives, many firefighters and law enforcement officers responding to the Camp Fire have themselves lost their homes. We owe them and all of the victims of these disasters our full support and solidarity. While the fires are now mostly contained, the long and difficult process of grieving and recovery is just beginning. 

So today, I'll be thinking not just of all the many blessings in my life, but also about what I can do to give back to those who are less fortunate than I am, especially our fellow Californians affected by these terrible fires.

I hope you will join me in approaching the day with a heart prepared to give - to our families, our communities and beyond. Together, we can set aside our differences and set an example of human kindness and civility that will make us all better off.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Warmly,

Toni Atkins Senate President pro Tempore, 39th District

P.S. If you would like to support the victims of the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire, you can donate here.