President's Update 12/06

As I write this article for the newsletter, there are several thoughts running through my head.  First, it is really, really cold outside this evening.  Each year when it first gets cold, I begin to think about the holidays.  Weeks from now when the holidays have passed and it's still cold outside I'll be thinking about how I can't wait for spring.  But for now, the cold weather makes me think of the holidays.

Before being president of MPNA, when I thought of the holidays I thought about family, people in need, snow, deocrations, those types of things.  Now, as president of MPNA when I think about the holidays, while I still predominantly think of those same things, I also have a new thought to add to the list -- the Mesta Park Holiday Homes Tour.  As many of you know, the Holiday Homes Tour is an amazing event and our neighborhood's single largest fund raiser.  But what I'm thinking about this evening is the tremendous amount of volunteer hours that go into the planning and execution of the Homes Tour.

The number of people and the number of hours many of these individuals have invested in this event, is remarkable.  There are the generous neighbors who have volunteered to open their homes for touring.  Each house then has a volunteer house captain who coordinates many more volunteers to be present to help guide visitors through the tour, watch over the home and share information regarding unique features or characteristics of the house.  All of this process is overseen by a dedicated committee made up of volunteers who make sure every detail is handled, from creating the program to arranging for protective gear for each home should we have rain or snow on a tour day.  It is incredible to think of how many volunteers and volunteer hours have been put in by this year's committee and its chair.  Our neighborhood owes each these folks our gratitude.

As I think about volunteers, holidays and gratitude, I realize that this is the perfect time of year to think about volunteering beyond just the neighborhood.  There are many opportunities to volunteer to help out a family or any fellow Oklahoman in need.  looking at how much a small group of folks have done in terms of creating this year's home tour, imagine what could be done if we each volunteered just a little bit of our time or resources.  As the holiday approach, I want to express my gratitude to each of you who give to our neighborhood.  And I want to encourage everyone to consider volunteering to help someone in need.  Happy Holidays!