Jan Materni, Perrysburg City Council: “I am thankful for my friends, family and especially my son who is in the U.S. Navy. I am very grateful for all the opportunities offered to me over the years, from educational opportunities, job opportunities to the people of Perrysburg who elected me to council. As a breast cancer survivor, I am very thankful for my health. I am thankful for every Thanksgiving I am able to celebrate.”
Jacki Stedman, president, League of Women Voters of the Perrysburg Area: “I am grateful for a family that loves me unconditionally and offers joy and laughter. I appreciate colleagues and strangers who wake up each day, put on a uniform or name badge, and provide service, safety or care. I am thankful for my friends who indulge my love of wine slushies and pickleball. I love that our community values education and the arts. I appreciate living close to the Great Lakes and all that fresh water provides. And, I am grateful to the wise women who have paved the way for me and others to lead purposeful lives.”
Bryon Borgelt, principal, St. Rose Catholic School: “We are blessed to have Thanksgiving as a holiday, an entire day devoted to gratitude and family. I thank God everyday for my family, my health and the opportunities that I have. I am thankful for all of the support that is extended to our school community. We are fortunate to have another year of Catholic faith development, academic excellence shaped by moral virtue and servant leadership in a compassionate community.”
Robin Ballmer, arts advocate and owner of main ART-ery: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Arthur Ward
“I am grateful for the City of Perrysburg, the Perrysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Perrysburg Board of Education for supporting my efforts and giving me the opportunity to present music and visual arts to the Perrysburg community. I couldn’t do the work I love so much without your help and support. I am deeply grateful to be able to work in a community that understands the value of the arts.”
Heather Gallant, executive director 577 Foundation: “I’m grateful for patience, abundance, understanding, compassion, generosity, creativity, connection, and the potential of seeds planted and nourished. I’m grateful for the opportunity of this moment, and the promise of a new day.”
Mark Weber, Perrysburg City Council: “This year, I have an increased appreciation for our first responders and the people within our administrative staff, public service and public utilities departments. They work incredibly hard every day through all kinds of weather. Even through this pandemic, our city employees keep us safe and our services uninterrupted. For that, I am very thankful.”
Sue Larimer, Perrysburg Board of Education: “Many years ago, Thanksgiving stopped being a day in the year but rather every day in every year for me. And. while it’s a joy to gather around family, food and fun at this time, every day brings at least a glimmer of something for which to be grateful.”