December 31, 2006

Dear KaBOOM! Friends,

Just wanted to send another "thank you" your way.

The city of Pass Christian (Mississippi) has always started off the Christmas season by what is called "Christmas in the Pass," when the whole city takes part in going from shop to shop enjoying cocoa and goodies, caroling, and spreading Christmas cheer. With Hurricane Katrina washing away much of the city shops, most people thought this would be a thing of the past. With a city so destroyed, Christmas cheer was a much-needed commodity.

This year, your efforts rebuilding the War Memorial park gave the city a great place to hold Christmas in the Pass. People were everywhere. I heard the head count was about 2,000. Children were playing on the swings and jungle gym while the local high school band played Christmas carols. There were booths with gumbo and Christmas goodies for all. The gazebo that sits in the park held a large Christmas tree and it was decorated with lights all around it. There were booths set up on card tables with Christmas surprises to purchase for your loved ones. Several booths handed out free candy canes, cocoa, and little freebies like day planners for the upcoming year. Christmas in the Pass 2006 was a delight. (Check out a photo album of  Christmas in the Pass here and photos of the KaBOOM! Pass Christian build here)

My family and I just got out of the FEMA trailer and into our rebuilt house. We are very, very blessed. We celebrated moving in in style and put up a very large tree this year. It was good to also see our community moving ahead and once again enjoying the Christmas season. Without the park KaBOOM! built, none of the Christmas cheer would have happened! Thank you so much!

My son and I helped build a KaBOOM! playground in front of Bay Catholic School and I helped build the one in front of the Hancock Medical Center where I work. We are very big KaBOOM! fans.

Once again, thank you ... You are appreciated.

Rene Veazey