Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Giving thanks is undoubtedly a great thing to practice regularly, but clearly our country didn’t think we did it enough, so now we have Thanksgiving. Most people can picture in their head the long picnic table with Pilgrims and Native Americans all sitting down together, smiling, laughing and sharing their hunted-and-gathered meal. But how is that the reason that we sit down at our family table and cherish the people and things in our life? And more importantly, how is this holiday relevant in our teenage lives? Being the insatiable teens we all are, we relate to this holiday by the food. Whether you’re into the starches- the mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and corn- or you’d prefer to go straight to the delicious spread of autumn-inspired desserts, the meal, especially if it’s home-cooked, is something to look forward to all year. We may only be thinking with our stomachs on this day, but we all know what Thanksgiving is really about: bringing family together and enjoying the things we have and the people we cherish. As well as the traditions, there are a few charitable causes that occur every year throughout the month of November in anticipation of the last Thursday of the month; there is something about this holiday that draws people to giving back to those who may be less fortunate. A local charity that attracts more and more volunteers every year is the KDKA Turkey Fund. This 29-year-old fundraising effort works with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to provide turkeys for over 45,000 families every year. With the PNC Bank matching donations of $50 or more, this is truly an honorable and city-wide effort. This Thanksgiving, we ask that you think about more than the delectable spread of food that will be at your table. The Pilgrims and the Native Americans certainly had the right idea- some things that come along in life we are just plain lucky to have, and we should take time out of our busy schedule to give thanks for them. Although the Native Americans ended up with the short end of the stick when our European ancestors ended up killing off a majority of their culture, we did take time out before all of that to thank them for saving our Plymouth colony and teaching us how to grow corn by having dinner with them. In any case, it’s important to be thankful for the people that have made you who you are today: your family and friends. Think about the things in your life that you are fortunate to have, and realize that there are others who don’t have the same opportunities. Give thanks, and give back this Thanksgiving.