Every Thanksgiving, I find myself stuffing my face with an abundance of turkey, sweet potatoes, and my mom's homemade cranberry sauce. In the midst of all that, it's easy to be distracted by food and forget what the holiday is all about. This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for family: my biological family, Sigma Chi family, RaiseRED family, and UofL family. It's hard not to be happy when you wake up every day knowing you have such a strong support system behind you. Here's to family and eating my weight in turkey. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
COURTNEY PUCKETT - event management director
I am thankful for the privilege to attend the most amazing university in the world. UofL isn't Ivy League, it isn't the biggest university in America. It isn't world-renowned, but it is the place that I found myself. The university of Louisville wasn't even my first choice for college but I ended up coming here for various reasons. I cannot thank God enough for the privilege to be a cardinal. At UofL I have found sisters and friends for life. The women in my sorority push me to be the best I can be and see potential in me that I never saw in myself. They bring out the best in me and make me proud of myself. I have received an amazing education through UofL and found a passion and career path I never imagined for myself. Lastly, UofL has given me a true purpose. Having the honor of being a part of UofL's official student-run philanthropy has changed my perspective on life. Because of this organization and the children we benefit, I have become more thankful for the little things, more positive, and more inspired to better myself everyday. I could not be more thankful for this University and how it has changed my life for the better.
JESSICA WILLIAMS - recruitment director
I am thankful for all of the wonderful members of the raiseRED Eboard who work each and every day to to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. You all so talented and dedicated to the cause and I wouldn't want to be working with anyone else!
EMILY BRAZELL - registration director
I am thankful for the health of my friends and family. Those people who I am the closest to mean the world to me and I could not imagine my life without them. I have been so blessed to be healthy and for those around me to stay healthy as well. We don’t think of those things on a day-to-day basis but it is something we should always be reminded to have. That is the reason I am so glad to be part of raiseRED, this organization who brings life, fun, and happiness to kids who may not be as healthy and lucky as my family. I want to help out families and children persevere through their daily struggles that are a lot worse than me getting a bad grade or walking home in the cold. I am thankful for health, hope, and raiseRED.
RYAN KEELING - sponsorship director
I'm thankful for the people in my life that consistently show me, through endless care and generosity, the value in helping someone reach their goals.
RACHEL BOLIN - marketing director
I am thankful for constant opportunity and the promise that everything will work out how it is supposed to. No matter what hardship is inflicted on your life, there is always a positive way to look at it. Struggle looks different for every person, but every person has the choice of how they will see the world. I am grateful that I am surrounded by people who always look up, and always see the opportunity that can hide in failure.
TAYLOR WILSON - executive director
I am thankful for my raiseRED family, the best support system I could ever ask for.
TRA TAYLOR - event entertainment director
I am thankful to be saved by Grace. My imperfections are made whole by my Creator! Because of this, I am able to go forward each and every day with zest for life.
JOEY SCHMIDT - team leader director
I am thankful for loving family and friends, my raiseRED family, and most of all Amy Poehler for always being there for me in my time of need.
CAROLINE PETERS - sponsorship director
I am thankful for the family and friends that I have in my life. And the ways they have pushed and encouraged me along with all the opportunities they have given me. I am thankful for being healthy and happy. I am thankful that I am able to attend college and get an education to help with with my future.
TAD SIMPSON - morale director
Over half-way through my college career I can’t help but to ponder how I am where I am today. I realize that the person who I have become and the accomplishments I have made would not be the same without the continual love, support, and guidance that my parents have always given. I am so thankful to have them as my role models and best friends.
RICARDO ULLRICH - team leader director
I cannot begin to enumerate the things I am thankful for during this years Thanksgiving holiday. For that reason, I, a graduating senior in the spring, would like to extend a heartwarming "Thank You" to everyone who has helped me actualize my lofty aspirations during my time at UofL. The gratitude I have for my "family" (both immediate and raiseRED, of course) and friends at the university is boundless. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.
LOGAN CARLISLE - finance director
I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with my friends and family.
MORIAH HAYWORTH - team leader
I am thankful for a great university that has given me the opportunity to grow as a student and leader, and has prepared me for life after college.
BRIDGETTE HILDRETH - team leader
I am thankful for people.
KATELIN LESTER - team leader
I'm feeling extra blessed this holiday season. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to pursue an education in a field that I'm passionate about, all while being supported by friends and family who constantly bring out the best in me. I'm grateful I attend a university that believes in the power of young peoples ideas and works to make their dreams a reality. I'm lucky to have the privilege of being surrounded by all of the awesome people who make up our raiseRED family and who believe what we're doing can, and will, make a difference in these children's lives.
ALEX OYLER - team leader
I'm thankful that I always have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. That I can go see my mom every Sunday and home is never more than 20 minutes away. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to go to this great university where my friends support me through thick and thin. Mostly I'm thankful for the fact that I get to wake up every morning and have a chance to achieve something great.
JARED SIMPSON - team leader
I am thankful for all the people in my life - especially my parents - who have allowed me to be where I am today! I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had here at UofL and the road that lies ahead.
BRIANNA BERRY - team leader
My parents are my #1 fans (my mom would argue that she's #1 and dad is #2, but whatever), my brothers are pretty cool, and my pets have always loved to cuddle. I have great friends, great sorority sisters, and a great boyfriend/soul mate. I'm grateful for being blessed with intelligence and compassion. But when I think about things people don't have, I realize that I'm thankful for so much more. I have the opportunity to further my education and be a part of organizations that are incredible. I've never had to worry about when my next meal was coming from or where I was going to sleep that night. I've never had to worry about whether I'd be able to walk or talk tomorrow because of an illness I had. I've been blessed in so many ways, and that everything, I am truly thankful.
ALANA BOYLE - team leader
I am thankful for being given the opportunity to support such a wonderful cause. I am also thankful for my amazing family and the support system they provide me.
GRANT MCKENZIE - team leader
I am thankful for cats. They are fluffy and bring me joy, even though my girlfriend is allergic to them and I am strongly considering dumping her because of it.
KRISTIN JOHNSON - team leader
I am thankful for all of the people I have met at UofL that have made my transition into college a great one. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to work with the amazing people on the raiseRED team and to be able to be a part of such an incredible cause. They are an amazing family and I am so happy I have been given the chance to be a part of it. I am also thankful for my family, my education, my health, food on my table, and all the other blessings in my life. There are too many to count and for that I am forever grateful.
JEROME SOLDO - team leader
I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given- primarily, to obtain an education at a university where I am surrounded by so many passionate individuals. I am thankful for supportive parents, my incredible twin sister, my good health, and the awesome times I've spent backpacking through South America. Finally, I am thankful for the unconditional love of close friends and the potential I have to connect with them.