It's hard to believe, yet another Thanksgiving is upon us — a cliché, but nonetheless true. Perhaps one way to slow the tide of time is to capture and examine one-by-one the thankful moments this past year, with a special focus on Bermuda's nonprofits.

Bermuda has an extremely strong and effective charitable network. Many call this component of the Bermuda economy its "Third Sector." It has grown rapidly in recent years, and there is tremendous support for it among the corporate community. Marina and I have been blessed to live all over the world — and we are amazed at the breadth and depth of charitable support here. So a big "thank you" is due to the nonprofits, volunteers and each of the corporate and private supporters who give their time, their treasure and/or their talents to help others.

One such organisation is AGE Concern, a locally-registered charity led by Executive Director Claudette Fleming. Its mission is "to determine the needs of seniors and link them to necessary resources." This is especially important as Bermuda's senior population grows. To help it fulfil its mission — as outlined on its website at www.ageconcern.bm — AGE Concern received all the donations collected at last year's Thanksgiving Celebration.

Now another Thanksgiving Day is upon us. And once again, the American Society of Bermuda is partnering with the US Consulate to host a Thanksgiving Celebration — and you are cordially invited. This year's Celebration will be at noon today at St. Theresa's Cathedral.

Following the Thanksgiving Service we will all share a light lunch. We thank Bishop Kurtz and the entire St. Theresa's family for opening their beautiful church for today's Celebration. We hope to see you at St. Theresa's today — please know that you are very welcome.

All of the donations collected at today's Celebration will be evenly split between De Boys' Day Out Club and Meals on Wheels. Under the inspired leadership of Mr. Milton Richardson, "De Boys" provides guidance and life skills instruction for boys and young men, while instilling a love for community service.

The club's motto is "Youth Committed to Service" and that is why half of today's donations will be directed to "De Boys. " For more on this great charity please go to www.deboys.bm.

Meals on Wheels, led by new chairman Mr. Joe Gibbons, is another very worthy charity deserving of recognition for the vital work it does in the community. Formed in 1975, it provides cooked meals and company four days a week to some 200 elderly and infirm individuals who are unable to prepare food themselves. Half of today's Thanksgiving donations will be dedicated to Meals on Wheels. Although Meals on Wheels does not have a website, you may learn more and/or volunteer to help by calling 236-1815.

Bermuda's Habitat for Humanity is another exemplary nonprofit, whose mission is to rehabilitate homes for Bermuda families that need affordable housing. In March the US Consulate organised a fun event, "Harvard in Hamilton for Habitat" at the Anglican Cathedral — and all donations went to Habitat Bermuda. The Harvard Din & Tonics, the Radcliffe Pitches, and the Harvard Krokodiloes donated their time and talents to entertain a great lunch-time audience — who in turn gave a voluntary offering for Habitat Bermuda.

We are indebted to the Harvard clubs for embracing this project, to the Anglican Church for making the Cathedral available and to those who gave generously in aid of Habitat Bermuda. Please see http://www.habitat.bm or contact Executive Director Larry Williams to find out how you can help.

Of course this year's July 4th Celebration in Dockyard was once again charity-focused. I hope you were able to join all 6,000 of us "Celebrating Freedom; Giving Back to Bermuda" together down at Moresby Plain. More than 50 charities helped out, qualifying each to receive donations towards their missions.

Participating charities also used the occasion to drum up support among our 6,000 guests. It was truly a day of thanksgiving — for the generosity of our corporate sponsors and the hard work of our volunteers — and it was a lot of fun, too. I must personally thank my co-chair Cindy Campbell and each of our 36 Event Chairs who organised everything.

The American Society of Bermuda did a fabulous job to make July 4th a real success — and that's just one of their many superb events and services. American Society President Brad Woodings always does a great job — and he's the man to contact if you'd like to find out more or become a member: www.americansocietyofbermuda.com/.

Just this September, the American Consulate teamed with The Centre on Philanthropy to honor Bermuda's non-profit leaders. The well-attended reception — with over 100 local charity leaders — provided an opportunity to honor social entrepreneurs in Bermuda.

It was an inspirational evening. Our warmest thanks to ACE Ltd and to Ralph Richardson, Executive Director of the ACE Foundation, for generously providing the venue — and to The Centre on Philanthropy for co-hosting the event.

In closing, I wish to shine the spotlight on The Centre on Philanthropy. The Centre has done a remarkable job re-building itself this past year so that it might serve the needs of Bermuda's non-profit community. Thanks go to the board, chairman Brian Duperreault, and executive director, Pam Barit Nolan, for their tireless work building "an effective, efficient and sustainable third sector".

Brian, Pam and The Centre's dedicated staff are making a big difference in the charitable arena here in Bermuda. We are thankful for their commitment and vision. For more about The Centre's great work please go to www.centreonphilanthropy.org and/or visit the Bermuda Volunteer Centre at www.centreonphilanthropy.org/volunteer to explore volunteer opportunities.

So a final thank you to all those on this small Island who actively give of their time, their treasure and their talents to bless others. And a word of encouragement to those who are thinking about joining the "Third Sector."

Dive in, the water's deep¿and there is no higher calling. As the Good Book teaches: "to whom much is given, much is expected." And almost all of us here in Bermuda have been given so much. We do hope to see you at St. Theresa's Cathedral at noon today for our Thanksgiving Celebration.

We look forward to giving thanks¿and celebrating¿with you.

The Honourable Gregory W. Slayton is the US Consul General to Bermuda