With so much going on these days, take some time to participate in Family Volunteer Day on November 22. Thanksgiving is coming, there is no better time to get your family involved in volunteering. This is a good time to raid your food pantry and load up some of those canned veggies and soups in a bag and give to a family or person going through a tough time. See information below.

National Adoption Month. In 1976 Governor Mike Dukakis of Massachusettes proclaimed Adoption Week. In 1990, the week was expanded to a full month. For more information go to http://national-adoption-month.adoption.com/

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. In its mission to have a world without Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association increases its outreach this month to advance research and help patients, their families, and their caregivers. Go to www.alz.org for more information.

National Hospice Month. To promote greater awareness of hospice care and the advantages it offers. For more information, go to www.nationalhospicefoundation.org.

Weekly Events

Geography Awareness Week, Nov. 16–22. An annual event by the National Geographic Society's Geography Education Program to promote geographic literacy and awareness. For more information, go to http://www.nasm.si.edu/ceps/gaw/gaweek.cfm

National Game & Puzzle Week, Nov. 23–29. Use this week to exercise your brain with puzzles and celebrate the camaraderie that games traditionally provide families and friends. [ I was unable to find substantial information for this week, but think it is a wonderful idea. This is the week of Thanksgiving, enjoying puzzles and other board games is a perfect way to spend quality time with family and friends.]

Daily Events

Veterans Day. Nov. 11. A day to celebrate and honor our veterans of the military. For more on Veterans Day go to http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27 A day to give thanks and celebrate our bounty and good fortune. For more information go to http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/thanks.htm

National Memory Screening Day, Nov. 18. Free confidential screening is available through a number of healthcare organizations on this day. For more information go to www.nationalmemoryscreening.org.

Great American Smokeout, Nov. 20. The origins of this event began in 1971. The American Cancer Society began promoting the event nationally in 1977. Go to www.cancer.org for more information.

Family Volunteer Day, Nov. 22. To encourage and showcase the benefits of families working together as volunteers in their communities. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.