One Hope United and generous supporters made this year’s Thanksgiving a more joyful holiday for many families in need by providing food and gift cards.

One Hope United staff in Joliet delivered a frozen turkey to a birth parent who regained custody of her child this year. She was not sure how she would celebrate the holiday and the staff said she was incredibly surprised and very thankful for the food. It really made her family holiday complete.

Another family was “excited and super thankful” when the staff from One Hope United’s Success by 6 program in Waukegan, Ill., delivered a turkey to them, staff said. The family is financially struggling and could not afford to buy a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year. The mom enjoys cooking and was looking forward to sharing a meal with her family.

Also, Master Lee Yong of Yong’s Taekwondo in Round Lake Beach, Ill., organized his 12th annual turkey drive, providing 110 turkeys for One Hope United clients. Staff from Waukegan, Kenwood, Des Plaines, Joliet, Kankakee, Gurnee and the Day Treatment and Rebound programs picked up the turkeys and distributed them to clients before Thanksgiving.

Seven donors also delivered 43 $25 gift cards for food and seven large boxes filled with nonperishable food.

One Hope United is thankful for its staff and donors who helped make this Thanksgiving an extra-special holiday.