Little Rock Team Members Offer Thoughts on Thankfulness
For Thanksgiving, we asked several City of Little Rock team members to tell us what Thanksgiving means to them. Here are their responses:
Monica Montgomery
This season reminds me that gratitude isn’t just a moment, but a practice: The choice to pause and honor the blessings granted into my every day life; the people who walk alongside me; the lessons that helped me grow; and the love that keeps me grounded.
I hope during this season you take time to recognize the small, daily comforts one may overlook — warmth, safety, food, routines, and the ability to rest. Happy Thanksgiving!
Monica Montgomery is career and workforce development coordinator for the Department of Community Programs.
Dustin Bean
Thanksgiving, to me, is a season rooted in gratitude and togetherness. It’s a time to gather with family, share a meal, and take a moment to appreciate the people and traditions that bring joy to our lives. Growing up, I remember the excitement of looking forward to all my favorite dishes—those special recipes we enjoyed only at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
One of my fondest traditions has always been watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. No matter how old I get, seeing Santa Claus arrive at the end still fills me with the same childhood excitement. It’s the moment I know the holiday season has officially begun.
Thanksgiving also brings out a special spirit in people—a spirit of kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity. It’s a time when we open our homes, share our tables, and reconnect with loved ones. It reminds us to slow down, reflect on the blessings around us, and extend that gratitude to others.
As we celebrate, we also begin looking ahead with hope toward a new year. May this season bring warmth, joy, and memorable moments to you and those you cherish.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dustin Bean is guest services manager for the Little Rock Zoo.
Gary Chapman
This is an excellent time for us to reflect on all that God has given us. I’ve been spending time focusing on all the good things I have, beginning with my wonderful wife. We share a rare relationship. It’s a marriage where I come home to peace, blessing and joy. We’ve simply learned to put our trust in Jesus, who is our great provider. We don’t spend time complaining about issues in life and we have gone through some serious challenges; financial ruin, cancer and even wondering where we would live, but God has always provided in ways we never expected. He has taught us not to worry about things, but to be thankful in all situations.
Another blessing for me is having my mother living with my wife and me. She chose to be with us in 2022, and we have been making new wonderful memories since. We enjoy our time together playing games, watching movies, shopping, and even playing pool. Having my mom in the house has added to our joy together, especially since my mother and wife enjoy each other’s company. I’m thankful knowing that I have two women who love me waiting to see me when I get home from work every day.
As a man, it matters that I am able to support my wife and mother, and my job with the City of Little Rock has blessed me with this ability. I’ve been working for the city since Aug. 5, 2024. During this time, I have met many people who have provided me with positive and encouraging statements and help. I enjoy the time we are able to interact. This is a great place to work.
I am also thankful for the blessing of benefits the city provides. Our benefits are superior compared to the last four cities I worked at and they were good. I’ve learned to keep my life simple and enjoy each day, one at a time. Which is why, I’m looking forward to this Thanksgiving Day of relaxation with plenty of food and friends.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with the joy and peace that comes from Jesus, like mine will be.
Gary Chapman is budget manager for the Finance Department.
Jessica Sharp
Thanksgiving is a time to stop and remember all that we are thankful for – family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and the community we live in.
It’s a time to reflect on the gratitude we have for the people in our lives that support us.
We create new memories, reflect on old ones, and build stronger bonds with those we care about most.
In my family that means loud talking, lots of laughter, and even more great food. My wish for everyone this year is that you stop and look around and remember all the simple blessings we often take for granted.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jessica Sharp is court administrator for Little Rock District Court, Second Division.
Shavonda Jackson
I am thankful for the love and support of my family, friends, and church members. I am also thankful to have a job that helps me to live comfortably with my family.
I am thankful for the Lord providing me with my needs and wants. I am thankful to my dear friend/sister, Teri Ivy, who has made a major impact in my life.
And, last, but not least, the three people in my life that have helped me with raising my children: My husband, Larry Jackson, my grandmother, Evelyn Patrick, and the person who birthed me, Angela Jackson. Thank you so much for loving us and helping me when things get tough!
Shavonda Jackson, known as “Shorty,” is an equipment operator for the Department of Public Works.
Oscar Cervantes
On Thanksgiving, I find myself pausing for a moment before the day truly begins. The world has felt heavy lately — people rushing, tensions rising, and kindness sometimes getting lost in the noise. But as I look around at my family and friends gathering in my home, laughter filling the air, I feel something I haven’t felt in a while: deep, undeniable gratitude.
I watch my family bustling in the kitchen, passing dishes, sharing old stories, and teasing each other the way we always have.
As we sit at the table, I realize how much these relationships matter—how much people matter. We’ve all been through a lot, each of us carrying our own burdens, yet we still find ourselves here, together, choosing connection over isolation, patience over anger, and love over fear.
“I’m thankful for all of you,” I say. “For my family who keeps me grounded, for my friends who remind me I’m never alone, and for the community around us. Times have been tough, but that just means we need each other more. We need to be more understanding, more respectful, and kinder to one another. We’re all going through something—sometimes all we need is a smile or a little grace.”
Oscar Cervantes is a code enforcement supervisor for the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs.
Mahoganey Burkhalter
I have been blessed to come from a large family, many of whom live nearby. During this time of year, we usually gather to eat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. That rhythm has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember.
As times change and as I grow older, I find myself becoming more grateful each year for these moments.
Over time, I have realized just how blessed I am to have experienced the kind of Thanksgivings that many people only dream of. For me, Thanksgiving has become a kind of “gratitude in reserve” as a reminder that, no matter the season I’m in or the circumstances I face, the favor and blessings in my life are beyond measure.
Mahoganey Burkhalter is an administrative assistant for the Parks and Recreation Department.
