What are you thankful for? We are thankful for YOU; our alumni, our community, our neighbors.

In the midst of the occasional societal chaos, we often forget to be grateful for the things that are good and for what keeps us going every day.

At Leadership Buffalo, we are exposed to the good, the bad and the ugly; and instead of dwelling on the ladder, we look for ways to take action and make Buffalo better. None of this could be possible without our outstanding alumni.

This year for our 4th Annual LB Project, we had 70 graduates and current class members from 16 different classes, assist in our clean up at the Commodore Perry Housing Authority. On September 30, 2016 the group successfully painted a laundry room, two community rooms and four common areas. Others gardened five areas and planted eight mums, another group surveyed over 160 trash and recycling totes.

We are thankful for our class project initiative and for the teams keeping their plans in motion.

The 2014 Class is moving along stronger than ever; they recently finished turning a basement storage room at Matt Urban Hope Center into a warming center for those cold months around the corner. The Class of 2014 was honored at Matt Urban's annual event for their dedication to the cause.

The Class of 2015 is consistent with their work at the Food Bank of WNY, Gateway Longview, The Kevin Guest House and Journey's End.

The 2016 class wrapped up their retreat with multiple projects in place; Boys and Girls Clubs, Kids Escaping Drugs, The Teacher's Desk, Buffalo & Erie County Library and Erie County's Summer Employment Program. We will keep you posted on their progress.

If your class is working together to make Buffalo better, please send us a note so we can share the impact!

From all of us at Leadership Buffalo, we are sending thanks and gratitude to all of you, not just during this holiday season, but all year. Your devotion to this community keeps us motivated and gives hope for an even better Buffalo.