Thanksgiving is a day about appreciation, connection, and spending time with people who matter. At Worldshine, each of our three centers—Gaithersburg, Beltsville, and Frederick—hosted its own celebration, giving members a holiday morning filled with music, movement, creativity, and moments shared together.
Gaithersburg Center opened its celebration with a gesture dance to a well-known gratitude song. Members followed the movements from their seats, and staff assisted as needed. As the music reached the chorus, members who had been waiting off to the side stepped forward and joined the performance, bringing more energy to the moment.
The celebration continued with a group song performed by the staff, with each person taking a short turn. After the performance, everyone joined together to say “Happy Thanksgiving,” ending the morning on a cheerful note.
Beltsville center ’s celebration featured Chinese and Vietnamese songs performed by both staff and members. The mix of solo and group pieces gave the show a steady, engaging flow.
The energy lifted again when staff performed a quick cha-cha. The upbeat rhythm encouraged movement throughout the room. To close the celebration, members led a line dance with simple steps that everyone could follow. It was an easygoing and fitting way to wrap up the event.
Frederick center prepared throughout the week with turkey drawings and Thanksgiving-themed crafts. On Thanksgiving Day, each member wrote a short note of gratitude on a leaf-shaped card—expressing thanks for family, friends, staff support, or meaningful moments throughout the year—and took turns sharing the stories behind their messages. Many members expressed appreciation for Worldshine staff and the fellow members who accompany them every day.
These leaves were then placed on a “Gratitude Tree,” creating a colorful display for the holiday.
It was a pleasant and meaningful way for members to spend the holiday morning together across all three Worldshine centers. We hope this warmth continues into everyday life at Worldshine.