Thanks for Being There

Every November, we sit down with friends and family, have a big meal and give thanks. It's a time to reflect and count our blessings. But at Catholic Relief Services, we need more than one day to say "thank you" for your tremendous support, so we do it every day through our work.

Abbe Yeelen Waongo blesses water and prays over a woman in Central African Republic. She is one of 500,000 people who fled their homes because of violence. CRS is helping to restore peace. Photo by Catianne Tijerina for CRS

It's been a year of strife and instability in many parts of the world. But one thing has remained constant: your commitment to CRS and the people we serve. You are right there with us.

You are there in West Africa fighting the Ebola virus that already has killed more than 4,500 people. CRS is working in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to educate communities about Ebola prevention and debunk dangerous myths about the illness. Even as this health crisis continues, you are making a difference by helping CRS provide trained personnel, medical equipment and support to suffering communities.

In the Middle East, you are providing food, water and living supplies to families who desperately need these essentials in Gaza. And you are in Iraq as CRS provides counseling, education for children, and shelter to thousands of displaced people.

You are helping people in Central African Republic work together to resolve conflict peacefully so they can rebuild their country. Although other countries have dominated media coverage recently, you have demonstrated to the people of CAR that you are still standing beside them. With your support, we have implemented peacebuilding workshops in 2014 for nearly 300,000 community leaders of all faiths. They are learning how to transform their communities and develop their country.

Thanks to your generous hearts and spirits, we are helping nearly 100 million people in 93 countries every day. Thanks for caring, thanks for giving. You are among our biggest blessings.