While many were at home enjoying Thanksgiving with family, the Embrace Girls Foundation, Interiors By Steven G., and The Real Food Academy were serving up gratitude in a different form—by providing a hearty meal to Miami's first responders. According to a Local 10 news report, volunteers, including Rachel Newman, expressed their thanks to around 200 firefighters, police officers, deputies, and troopers by hosting a special Thanksgiving Day brunch.
Supporting those who routinely forfeit holiday comforts for the safety and wellbeing of others, some first responders enjoyed their meals at the event, while others grabbed them to go amid their duties. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Maj. Vivian Lewis remarked on the significance of this gesture, with Chief Morales saying, "Just giving back really makes such an impact, and I'm so happy to be here," in a statement obtained by Local 10.
The notion of community extended beyond the meals as the foundation — known for running after-school tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment activities for young girls — integrated a 'Season of Giving' that saw law enforcement officers bask in the appreciation amid the festivities. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales encapsulated the sentiment at The Real Food Academy event saying, "It’s an incredible honor to even be here because, when most folks are home celebrating Thanksgiving with their families, these volunteers came out here, took their own time to come out and feed the law enforcement officers of this community," as reported by WSVN.
