Letters to the Editor

Mission's Angel Tree made
Christmas happy for hundreds

The writer is executive director of the Mooresville Christian Mission.

On behalf of the Mooresville Christian Mission, I would like to thank the Mooresville-Lake Norman community for making Christmas possible for over 1,200 children in our community.
Last year the Mission's Christmas Angel program included 732 children. This year when the number rapidly rose to over 1,100 children, we became concerned that we might not be able to meet the demand and some children would be left out.
With the help of the Mooresville Tribune, word went out and individuals and organizations stepped up, making Christmas possible for 1,264 children.
Our need for Christmas Angels came right on the heels of the Mission's campaign for non-perishable food. The request for food assistance has increased dramatically this year -- keeping up with demand has been a struggle. Once the community became aware of the need, food began to come into the Mission and, so far, we have been able to meet clients' needs.
Even in hard times, Mooresville takes care of its neighbors. This has been true for the 70 years that the Mission has been serving Mooresville and it has been especially evident in the last few months as the community has come together to ensure that every child had Christmas and that no family went without food.
The Mooresville Christian Mission, and the hundreds of neighbors you have helped, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our community.

Valerie Chamberlain
Mooresville

Spirit of Christmas is
alive and well here

The writers is chairperson of the Iredell County Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots program.

The Spirit of Christmas was alive and well in Iredell County for Christmas 2008. We saw miracle after miracle happen in an economy that threatened to be the "Grinch."
The Iredell County Marine Corps League 1097 has worked through the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program since the creation of our league in 2002. In years past, we have been blessed with a good economy and raised many thousands of toys and taken care of thousands of children in many counties.
This year proved to be especially treacherous due to our failing economy. Never have I experienced an outpouring of love, caring and concern from so many for so many. This year proved to be very successful due to our community reaching out with their hearts and their purses.
For the second time since 2002, we have had to ask the community for its assistance in allowing our Toys for Tots barrels to be placed in their business locations but also from a monetary standpoint. This year was a banner year and our needy children, I believe, experienced the best Christmas ever.
Without the assistance from BJ's who made a tremendous monetary donation and Wal-Mart's donation, Kohl's, as well as countless other individuals including our detachment, this would not have been possible. The Lowe's YMCA employees assisted in sorting and filling orders as well as members of St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church and members of our detachment.
A "thank you" is so inadequate! You all are what Christmas is all about. Giving of yourselves to ensure others benefit from it. I also want to thank St. Luke for allowing Santa, Mrs. Claus and a few elves to make these children's Christmas experience one to remember.
I received a phone call from one collection location that relayed to me how 25 toys showed up after Christmas. It seems Santa comes in all sizes as children from the Charlotte area decided that they had received enough toys and they donated them back for needy children. How proud their parents must be.
With the help of the community we were able to make the Christmas of 1,200 children a very happy, joyous and memorable one. I want to thank the following businesses for participating in our toy campaign by being collection locations:
Big Lots in Mooresville and Statesville, all Dollar General locations in Irdell, Lake Norman Realty, Mooresville Ice Cream Co., Lance's Sundae Best, Coddle Creek Store, Face Logic, Rolly Pollies, 3 Goats & Espresso, Corrine's Restaurant, Village Inn Pizza, Overstock Outlet, Tall Oaks Family Practice, Tall Oaks Pharmacy, Pat's Gourmet Coffee Shop, BB&T, Golden Coral, Lake Sport Grill, Linwood Farms HOA, Jeff Hall Dodge, Kat's Patch, Red Light Café, Brookdale Bagel, Tilley's Harley-Davidson, Red Roof Inn-Statesville, American Home Place, Penske/Jasper Engines, Northeast Medical Center, Davis Rehab, Coldwell Banker/Statesville, Dr. George Rankin, Everhart Honda, South Iredell High School and JROTC, Badger Sports Wear, Perth Bait & Tackle and Steve Knight.
Countless individuals helped in so many ways. You have all earned your wings! May your year be filled with the smiles and memories of your generosity.

Vivian C. Meletis
Mooresville