A Year of Gratitude, Service, and Support

As we reflect on 2025, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for what was accomplished through Blue Thanksgiving — and for the supporters who made it all possible. This year was a powerful reminder that our mission is not limited to a single season or a single moment of need. Instead, it is lived out day after day through acts of service, compassion, and unwavering support for our law enforcement community.

Standing Beside First Responders — Wherever They Serve

Throughout 2025, Blue Thanksgiving was honored to support first responders in meaningful and practical ways. One of the most impactful examples was providing meals for officers participating in active shooter training. These intense training days are physically and mentally demanding, and being able to offer a warm meal was a small but meaningful way to show appreciation for the preparation and sacrifice required to keep our communities safe.

We also had the privilege of feeding officers across multiple police agencies and precincts throughout the year. From routine roll calls to special appreciation events, these meals served as a reminder that the community stands behind those who serve. One particularly memorable moment was welcoming the iconic Varsity food truck to Cobb County Police Department Headquarters — a day filled with gratitude, connection, and a lot of smiles.

Supporting Officers and Families in Times of Need

While public acts of appreciation are important, much of the work we do happens quietly. In 2025, Blue Thanksgiving provided financial assistance to officers and their families who were facing personal hardships — including serious illnesses, house fires, and the loss of loved ones.

These moments are deeply personal, and while we cannot share every story out of respect for privacy, we can say this: your support helped bring stability, relief, and reassurance to families during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Often, it was not just the financial help that mattered most, but the knowledge that they were not alone.

Thanksgiving and Christmas: A Season of Service

Of course, the holidays remain at the heart of our mission. In 2025, Blue Thanksgiving continued its tradition of ensuring that law enforcement families and first responders felt supported during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On Thanksgiving Day alone, we were honored to feed more than 400 on-duty law enforcement officers across Cobb County, ensuring those working to protect our community on the holiday were supported, appreciated, and cared for during their shift. During Christmas, our A Blue Family Christmas campaign allowed us to publicly rally the community around specific officers and families in need. In 2025, this included two female officers facing serious medical conditions and a female deputy whose home was destroyed by a house fire — a tragedy that also claimed the life of her mother. Through this campaign, supporters were able to directly see the impact of their generosity and stand beside these officers during an incredibly difficult season.

More Than What You See

Even with these shared stories, what we share publicly only tells part of the story. There were countless additional acts of kindness, assistance, and support throughout the year that we intentionally do not share to protect the dignity and privacy of those we serve. Every phone call answered, every need met, and every family supported represents the heart of Blue Thanksgiving’s mission. Following Christmas, we also received additional requests to assist officers facing new and ongoing medical challenges — a reminder that the need for compassion and support does not end with the holiday season.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, partners, volunteers, and community supporters. Your belief in our mission allows us to show up — not just during emergencies or holidays, but throughout the year — for the men and women of law enforcement and their families.

As we move into the future, we remain committed to continuing this work with the same compassion, integrity, and gratitude that guided us through 2025. Thank you for standing with us, trusting us, and helping us make a meaningful difference.

Together, we are more than a moment. Together, we are Blue Thanksgiving.

Help Us Continue the Mission

As we move into a new year, we want to be transparent with our community: the first quarter of every year is traditionally when donations slow, yet the needs of the officers and families we serve do not.

Emergencies don’t pause. Medical challenges continue. Families still need encouragement, resources, and support — often during what can be the most financially uncertain time for nonprofits.

Your donation today helps ensure that Blue Thanksgiving can continue showing up year‑round — providing meals, offering assistance during hardship, and standing beside law enforcement families in every season, not just during the holidays.

If you are able, please consider making a gift to support our mission and help us carry this work forward.

💙 Your support matters — all year long.