The greatest joy in carrying out the mission of Holiday Express is reflected in the faces of those we visit. As we gear up for a productive 2008, we pause and remember 2007. Memories our volunteers have from the event season are varied and personal. You pretty much have found the purest form of joy when Santa or the Grinch appears and you see the wide eyed expression of a child who can't speak. When a homeless man, who wouldn't make eye contact earlier, laughs at a rhythm-less Disco Santa, you laugh too. The genuine, non-verbal sentiments we receive are heartwarming. For those who experienced an event for the first time this season, there is almost an audible "click" when the personal connection occurs. Our volunteers are wonderful people; they provide the passion that motivates the success of our mission and fuels the growth of the organization.

My sincere thanks to all the people who support Holiday Express in so many different ways. We are humbled to be a small part of matching the values of Holiday Express supporters with the values, mission and vision of the organizations we have grown to know. In many ways, your relationship with us is a means to express your personal concern for those special individuals we touch.

As it was once said,"Giving opens the way for receiving." I hope we can continue to enhance each others' lives.

Donald Pignataro