“My family would be my first thing. My parents, 84 and 85, are still alive. My sister and two brothers live close by. That’s probably the first thing. All that, the veterans — we all share a common bond.”
Bill O’Connor, Orange City Council member
“I’m thankful for the Saviour for forgiving me. I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for this church, the Liberty Baptist Church. I’m thankful for America.”
Slade Rickels, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in DeLand
“My son, my family, my friends and my volunteers.”
Kelli Marks, vice mayor of Orange City and founder of Backpack Buddies
“I am thankful for good health and the fact that the pandemic is slowing down. I’m thankful for a great city staff here in Orange City and all that they do.”
Gary Blair, mayor of Orange City
“These people standing behind me. These men and women are the finest in the country. My job is to try to improve their quality of life.”
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, standing with some of his deputies
“My brothers and sisters — the veterans — and our ability to help people in the community. Family.”
Phil Loranger, retired Army officer and member of American Legion Post 255 in Deltona
“I’m thankful for family and great friends and God’s beautiful Earth — let’s keep it that way.”
Stony Sixma, a West Volusia Realtor and a member of the Volusia County Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission
“I am thankful for our community talking about climate change and the protection of our drinking water supply and our rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands. I hope we work towards important solutions in 2022! We need clean water.”
Gabbie Milch, middle-basin manager for the St. Johns Riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protection of the river
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve others both personally and professionally.”
Dr. Michelle Maclin, members representative for Volusia United Educators, the union for Volusia County public-school teachers and paraprofessionals
“I’m thankful for my wife, my mother, family near and far, friends, and the opportunities presented to me as a chef and educator.”
Hari Pulapaka, chef and professor of mathematics at Stetson University
“I’m thankful my family and I were able to get together to celebrate another Thanksgiving. We’re still able to celebrate despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve been blessed in my family, so I’m grateful for that.”
Mary Allen, executive director of the African American Museum of the Arts in DeLand
“I have so much to be thankful for! I am happy, healthy, I am loved. I am thankful for my struggles which have made me a better person. I am thankful for the people who have stuck by me, the people who have pushed me to my full potential, the people who have provided me with their unconditional support. But most importantly I am thankful for my family. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am.
Sergia Cardenas, Pierson Town Council member
I’m thankful for the great experiences that Queenie made possible for me — travels to two continents, three countries, many U.S. locations, specialty circuses and famous people we worked with over the years. Also, the many wonderful memories I have of her — our life together and reunion after being apart for 38 years, when she absolutely remembered me.
Liz Dane, former performer at DeLeon Springs, where she performed a skiing act with her best friend, Queenie the elephant.
