Our Mini Analysis on How San Angelo Compares to the Nation on Thankfulness

Some say it’s the super sales the morning after, some the excellent food, and still others the turning colors of falling leaves and the onset of the holiday season, but for most across America, the third Thursday of each November is about being thankful for those closest to them.

Friends, family, health and relationships top the list of a recent poll done by Harris Interactive on what Americans are thankful for, which surveyed 2,368 adults online between Oct. 16 and 21 of this year.

“Over three-quarters of Americans are thankful because of the health of their family (85%), because of their family relationships (84%) and because technology makes it easy to stay in touch with family and friends (76%). Interestingly, in 1980 almost all Americans said they were thankful for the health of their family (96%) and because of family relationships (95%),” a press release from Harris Interactive states.

We did our own mini poll this year on Facebook, and found that while most San Angeloans also responded similarly, several added other factors, like being part of a tight-knit community and their relationship to God as well. Our survey—if you can call it that—was done by posing a single question to our readers online: “So San Angelo, what are you thankful for?”, from which we received 20 responses including our own. We’re not saying this is by any means scientific, but we thought we’d share our results with you anyway.

Some responses were scored in multiple categories, however family still ranks number one, having been mentioned in 40 percent of the responses. San Angelo’s second most popular response mentioned the community at 20 percent, and friends ranked in third with 15 percent of all mentions.

Tony Davis wrote, “I live in Tennessee, but called San Angelo home for two years. I'm thankful for those memories. So many great friends made there. My home away from home.”

Tabitha Tabor Eggemeyer also mentioned the community in her response. “Thankful for our almighty God and the love and forgiveness he always gives us and this AMAZING community we live it [sic] :)),” she writes.

“Thankful for a community that has been showing overwhelming support to McCall Miller in regards to his recent accident!!!!!” Debra Rozell Friend chimes in, whose mentions were picked up by Sissy Ann Corley. “I am thankful for my husband, my kids, my friends, our health and most of all God. Also, I agree with Debra Rozell Friend...what a blessing this community is!”

The spread for fourth is divided among a number of different things, including sunshine, rain, health and obscure things like full episodes of Bonanza, each raking in 10 percent of votes. Only one person said they were thankful for their job (unless the book of the Bible Job was meant here, which we find unlikely), as compared to 60 percent in the Harris Poll.

Mother nature got a call out from a few members. “Sun!” writes LaShanna Blackwood, followed by Diane McMullen’s “Rain.” Phyllis Moeller Avants gives a list of good nouns. “A life full of love, caring, and forgiveness,” and Maria Valles must have a really great “Job.”

When it comes to being unthankful, San Angelo’s results are also more centered on local issues, however if we lump Obama, the state of the union and anything pertaining to the administration together, the responses are similar to the national poll.

“What Americans are not thankful for is the economic situation of the United States, as 62% say they are not thankful for this while 17% are thankful. In 1984, 78% were thankful for the economic situation of the U.S. and in 1988 59% were thankful; in 2010 that number was

23%,” the release reads.

Comparatively speaking, out of 14 responses, 36 percent responded with something pertaining to the administration or state of the nation on our Facebook poll. Poverty came in second place, capturing 21 percent of the votes, followed by disease, war, local traffic, and water, which all had 14 percent of the mentions.

Sylvia Marquez Galan had her fellow man in mind when she wrote “People having to work on Thanksgiving Day and lack of God's gift, ‘ water’!!!,” and

Edward D Mota wins with our vote for the funniest response: “Winkie Farmer.” Bush also made an honorable mention from Rachel Hernandez, who writes, “All the annoying people that blame President Obama for everything!!!! Get a life, Bush is to blame for all of this! !!!”

In the spirit of the season, we’ll end on a positive note. The LIVE! team was asked to contribute their comments as well, and this is what we’ve come up with.

John Basquez: I’m Thankful for another day with my Children and Grandchild. I am truly Blessed

Joe Hyde: I have a great family, and I’m really thankful that everyone is happy and healthy. In addition, Johnny football and frac’ing, and full episodes of Bonanza without commercials.

Katelyn Robertson: I am thankful for my wonderful friends and for Joey (the Chihuahua with the snaggle tooth).

Chelsea Schmid: I’m thankful for the visa representatives who are processing our case much faster than anticipated so that the love of my life can come stateside. Schön, dass es dich gibt, Bärchen! Also for my awesome family, because they’re awesome.

Cheyenne Benson: I like turtles[[{"fid":"1592","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","attributes":{}}]]

We also want to thank you for reading our stuff, for all of your comments and your continued loyalty. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope those people and things you care the most about bless your holiday this year.