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But for families in Fellsmere, a town six miles southwest of Vero Beach, giving thanks has taken on a deeper meaning as the town's 3,000 residents struggle to get back on their feet after being hit by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.
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The decision to help the town, which is primarily made up of migrant workers and their families, came after the parents of one of the scout members heard about the devastation in the area.
"After the hurricanes came through, it was identified that this was one of the many areas that was having problems," said Dennis Dodge, cub master for Pack 360
Fellsmere is a citrus town, and most of its residents work in the fields. Nearly all the work is in the form of manual labor. But after two hurricanes, 90 percent of the crops were destroyed and most of the homes were turned into piles of rubble, forcing residents to camp out in tents.
For the few that still have houses standing, making them fit to live in has become a chore in itself.
"The housing situation here is very sad. Many have no homes and are living like sardines," said Jesse Zermeno, president of Operation Hope, an organization in Fellsmere that is working closily with the scouts on the toy drive.
When Dodge decided to take on the task of the toy drive, initial contact with the town had to be made through a diner, which was on of the few places in Fellsmere that has electricity or phone service.
"This is a community in need. They've got anything they can find stuck in the holes in their roofs to help keep the bugs out," Dodge said.
Schooling also has been a problem.
Of the about 300 students, only 60 of them have been able to continue their education due to the lack of supplies and shelter.
The remaining students have been forced to stay at home and help rebuild. Operation Hope is planning to start classes for the remaining students that were displaced as a result of the hurricanes.
In order to help the town, the scouts are collecting everything they can. Items being accepted are textbooks, food, clothes, office supplies, furniture, toys, bicycles and more. For those that have items that need to be picked up, they will take care of that, too.
"If you clean out your garage, we will take the items away for your," Dodge said. "If you want to get rid of it, we will take it. The holidays have to be enjoyable, but with no food or clothing, it's hard to be enjoyable."
The scouts, who range in ages from 6 to 18, are getteing help from the community on this worthwhile endeavor. Students at North Broward Proparatory School in Coral Springs have been collecting McDonald's Happy Meal toys to give as stocking stuffers to the children.
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The scouts will deliver the donation on Dec. 18. There are no hotels in the town, so they will camp out for the nigth and then cook a dinner for the residents the next day.
Plans to build a small playground are also in the works.
"This is a very awesome approach. What they want to do here is phenomenal," Zermeno said.
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(Those interested in making donations can contact Dennis Dodge, cub master, Pack 360, via link to left.