Jennifer Garner had an especially poignant Thanksgiving this year. The 52-year-old actress was deeply grateful to have her 19-year-old daughter Violet Affleck by her side during this time. In late November, as Violet returned home from the East Coast for the holiday break, the family said a heartbreaking goodbye to their beloved golden retriever, Birdie. Birdie had been a cherished part of their lives for 9 years.

Garner's Heartbreak and Violet's Comfort

The 13 Going on 30 star was devastated by Birdie's sudden death. However, having Violet around for the weekend provided some solace. A source close to the family told PEOPLE that Garner has been "heartbroken" but that having Violet home from university helped. The family managed to have a "nice Thanksgiving" despite the loss.

Spending Thanksgiving as a Family

The actress spent the holiday with her ex-husband Ben Affleck and their three children - Violet, 15-year-old Seraphina, and 12-year-old Samuel. "They celebrated Thanksgiving as a family," an insider said. "The kids love having everyone together. Jen hosted dinner at her house." Prior to the celebration at Garner's home, the former couple and their children also volunteered together at L.A. homeless shelter The Midnight Mission's annual Thanksgiving Street Fair. Affleck, a longtime supporter of the organization, and Garner (who split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage) appeared to be in good spirits at the charity event, smiling together for a photo on The Midnight Mission's Instagram account. "They truly enjoy giving back to their community and cherishing quality time together as a family," a source previously told PEOPLE.

Volunteering at the Homeless Shelter

Going beyond just the Thanksgiving celebration, the family's outing to the homeless shelter was a significant moment. Affleck's longstanding support for the organization showed his commitment to making a difference. Garner, too, was actively involved, demonstrating her compassion. This act of giving back together as a family not only helped those in need but also strengthened their bond.

Announcing Birdie's Death and Memories

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Deadpool & Wolverine actress announced Birdie's death. In her Instagram tribute, she wrote that the vet had told them that dogs often hang on until their person comes home from college. And they believed Birdie did just that, so that they could pet her soft ears together and thank her for being the world's best dog. To begin the post, filled with memories of the golden retriever, she wrote, "It is hard to know how to write this - it seems nuts, given the world, to mourn a pet, but since we have shared Birdie with all of you, it only seems fair to let you know of her passing." The Family Switch star went on to reveal that after Birdie, a renowned foodie, missed a meal on Thursday, Nov. 21, the family knew she was not feeling like herself. "We were surprised to learn that, not only was she very ill, she was at the end of her life," she wrote. Birdie - who "loved to be read to" and "knew just how to give people what they needed" - lived a "happy dog life and is now in the role she was born to play: angel girl," Garner concluded the post. "It's a gift to love and be loved by such a creature as Birdie the Doggie."