In October, we welcomed a group of service members to Base Camp Jimmy to participate in The Return. Through movement, reflection, and mindfulness practices, participants built awareness and connection. Morning yoga in the yurt helped participants reconnect body and breath, grounding them in the present and releasing tension. Journaling provided time for quiet reflection, encouraging individuals to notice what they’re grateful for and what they wish to offer others. Group discussions rooted in emotion coaching curriculum cultivated emotional awareness and understanding, strengthening compassion for self and others.

As participants engage in these practices, they often notice a shift. Gratitude moves from being a feeling to something embodied. This deeper sense of appreciation naturally opens the door to generosity, inspiring participants to extend kindness and community beyond themselves.

That connection between gratitude and generosity is reflected in how The Station approaches service. Volunteer engagement is intentionally woven into our programs, nurturing a spirit of reciprocal care within the local community. During The Return’s giveback day, SOF service members and staff volunteered at the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) Food Pantry and Warming Center. Our team repackaged rice into one-pound portions to help feed hundreds of local families and cleaned living quarters to make them warm and welcoming for community members experiencing homelessness. The work was deeply meaningful, transforming the internal practice of gratitude into a shared act of generosity.

This day at HRDC reflected what The Station stands for, turning gratitude into action. It demonstrated that when gratitude takes root, generosity follows, nourishing both the giver and the community they serve. As this season of thanks unfolds, we invite you to pause and notice the people, moments, and small joys that sustain you, and consider how those moments of gratitude can be expressed through caring for others.