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Thanksgiving - A Time of Reflection

Saturday, October 26, 2019 - by Stephen S. Mabry, CAE

As the days grow shorter and we are treated to cooler temperatures, I am reminded that the holidays are upon us.  While Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, I believe that Thanksgiving is intended to be more of an Action than a holiday.  It is a time of taking inventory of the blessings that I have been granted while rejoicing with those who rejoice and celebrating the lives of others. I have found that when I practice ‘Thanksgiving’ as an action-verb rather than just a noun, it becomes a discipline that changes everything.

ScoreAs I reflect upon Texas Lions Camp, and the many people that have underwritten the organization’s mission and ability to operate, I cannot help but be thankful. I am reminded that as an organization we were founded in 1949, and served 200 excited, children in our first summer of operations.  With your help, would you believe that this past summer, together we provided services to 1,512 children?

Would you believe that TLC celebrated her 70th birthday on April 4, 2019? Would you believe that since our founding, over 79,000 children with physical disabilities, type 1 diabetes, cancer and Down syndrome have been afforded the opportunity to have a summer camp experience that every child should have?  I am so very thankful for you and all that you have done to make it possible for children to learn more about their true self-worth and to be invited to step into their calling and experience their God-given potential.  Your generosity makes these opportunities available for so many and it changes everything.

Taking inventory, I am quickly reminded of myriad acts of kindness and services that I have seen so many contribute this past year, and I am THANKFUL. Lions PicnicI saw over 1,500 Lions and volunteers attend Spring Workdays to open TLC for the summer.  During the summer, I saw hundreds of Lions sponsors introduce families and children to TLC.  I saw Lions and volunteers provide refreshments during registration and picnics on the first night of camp to welcome campers and encourage them to have a week to remember.  I remember how you came from every corner of Texas each Friday night while the camp was in session in order to serve a meal or host our Awards Night and greet the families of campers and join in the celebration of challenges met. 

Service With a SmileSo many gave unselfishly in 2019 and I am THANKFUL.  I saw thousands of Lions and volunteers collecting items that are used at camp, from sports equipment to art supplies and bringing them to provide what is needed to make each camper smile. I saw a professional staff discharge their duties with care and integrity, never losing sight of the importance of each and every aspect of our operation. I saw young adults come from all over the world to work with our children and keep them safe while they experienced an atmosphere like none other. I witnessed Dr. Ponder, Dr. Kwan, Patsy Reyes and myriad other experts provide an advanced diabetes program for over 440 children through TLC’s diabetes program.  I saw what you did, and I am THANKFUL for YOU.

I remember how you gave of your finances in order to provide and make allowances for others.  I think often of the more than 1,000 people who are Century Club members and give each month, or those who made others Life Members of TLC, or who gave honorarium or memorial gifts in order to provide for our daily operations.  Each one is a step closer to a child’s camping experience becoming a reality.  

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, and as I reflect, I am THANKFUL for YOU.


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Stephen is President and CEO of Texas Lions Camp, Inc. and recently celebrated 30 years of service to this 70 year-old, 501(c)(3) charitable, organization in August of 2019. TLC, Inc. has a large Board of Directors consisting of 94 voting members and over 300 volunteer members that serve on one of 10 standing committees. As a corporation, TLC has more than 200 full-time and seasonal employees (who are organized into 7 departments) and over 2,000 volunteers per year that are responsible for creating an atmosphere of success for more than 1,500 children with physical disabilities per summer. Stephen is a Certified Association Executive with the American Society of Association Executives, a past Certified Fund-Raising Executive with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Stephen is a father of three and resides on TLC’s Kerrville campus together with his wife Shawn, who as luck would have it, is a professional editor.
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