A thankful heart is a happy heart. Cavod Performing Arts and Theatre has a lot to be grateful for.

The upcoming Day of Thanksgiving is an opportunity to take stock, count blessings and celebrate all of the people and things that make Cavod, Cavod.

"Cavod means 'glory of God' in Hebrew, His majesty, His greatness," said Connie Dienner, Cavod Peforming Arts' founder and executive director. "Our goal is to bring glory to God through the arts. When people say it, they're speaking the glory of God without even knowing it. We're here to celebrate and change the culture of the arts. This facility is for anyone and everyone."

Located at 665 W. Main St., New Holland, Cavod Performing Arts will host its 10th annual Day of Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 7. It's a day of online giving that is topped off by a celebration of the arts from 6 to 10 p.m., an in-person event that will feature free pizza, free drinks, periodic interpretative performances, a DJ-inspired dance party, a disco ball and an hour of worship.

For more information or to donate, go to http://www.cavod.org.

"The whole goal is to raise funds for Cavod," said Dienner. "We are so grateful. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for donations. It's just really a community celebration where we come together and celebrate the arts. There's so much to celebrate."

"The atmosphere is electric; it's fun," Dienner added. "I just like seeing the kids, the teens and the youth have a lot of fun. I love seeing the way they come and worship the Lord together. It's a place where kids can come that's safe and fun."

Organizers of the Day of Thanksgiving are hoping to raise $80,000 for Cavod's creative and inspiring work. Cavod Academy of the Arts employs 24 staff members and relies heavily on the contributions of volunteers.

"We're funded through the community, through sponsors and through tuition," said Dienner. "Twenty-five percent of our budget is funded through donations and the community. That's why we can offer such great classes, awesome teachers and a beautiful facility."

Cavod Performing Arts operates facilities at two locations - in New Holland and at 1223 Lancaster Road in Suite 115 in the Penn Towne Center shopping center in Manheim.

Cavod's immaculate New Holland headquarters features offices, four performing arts studios, a costume shop, music rooms, a playroom and a cafe. The organization also operates the 200-seat Cavod Theatre two doors down from its offices.

"Art teaches our students to discipline," said Dienner, a resident of Leola. "It brings out creativity and an understanding of who they are. If they never pick up the arts again, I think they'll be better citizens and people because of (having been involved). It's hard work. You don't learn to perform overnight."

Cavod offers classes and instruction for students and adults in the arts of dance, music and theater. Cavod Performing Arts stages seven public shows annually, including its upcoming holiday production of "White Christmas" on Fridays, Dec. 5 and 12; Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13; and Sundays, Dec. 7 and 14.

Cavod embodies its motto, "Create With Purpose."

"Hopefully, people are inspired, encouraged and they'll see the value of the arts," said Dienner.

"We have people coming from all over, from as far as Reading, York, Oxford, Chester County and Willow Street," Dienner continued. "We have families who will drive over an hour just because they want an atmosphere like this."

Cavod Performing Arts was founded in 2004.

"My daughter (Tahnya) and I felt like we wanted to create a space where we could teach classes with excellence and with wonderful costumes," said Dienner. "We thought, 'What if we could create a space where we could merge the glory of God and excellence together?' We really wanted to tie Christianity into the arts. We are creating with purpose, and we've grown in community and support."