Pass Christian, MS photo © Scott LongfieldAs an audience member at your wonderful performance in Pass Christian, Ms., I had to write to tell you what a great pick-me-up it was for us to have you there. I know it was a small crowd, since there reallly are not that many people able to live in our town right now, but please know that your presence was so appreciated. Such talented folks, and what a great way to help people.Thanks again from "The Pass" - my kids and I won't forget you!
I cannot begin to describe how it makes me feel to hear all the wonderfulstories of the events at home this past week, and then to read Jim'sincredible email. In doing our Gulf trip, the most important thing to mewas insuring that everyone at home was taken care of. Throughout thehurricane ordeal, we have heard comments about how we, as a country, alwayscome to the aid of other countries, but have somehow let down our own. Idid not want that to happen to Holiday Express.
Well, not only did that NOT happen, it sounds like the opposite was true.Our "peeps" became even a higher priority; our volunteers (yes, that meanseveryone) became even more dedicated; and our spirit and faith in each otherbecame renewed.
Funny ... I thought we were going to the Gulf because they needed us.Turns out that for all the right reasons, Holiday Express needed it, too.
Stories of our travels will come in other emails. For right now, I justwanted to say thanks. We missed you all, believe me. And I must echo Jim'ssentiments about Donna. As Maureen Staub put it - it took 5 volunteers (andthen some) to do the work of one Donna. As for Dim...well...is it anywonder why we love him? He is the best.
So to use Jim's analogy, you guys not only had a wild party (several ofthem, in fact!!!) and cleaned up, you put an addition on the house ... andit looks beautiful!!!
Thanks, AmyB
Hi everyone... I hope I get this right .....ditto to everything Jim said so wonderfully. Yea to Donna, she's the bestest.... I love you all, this was such a wonderful week for me.....you all rule...love Kathy S..
I don't know if any of you have been to the area since the hurricane, butuntil you see the effects, it's hard to imagine. It reminds me of 9/11. People outside of the Boston-Washington-Pittsburg triangle saw it on TV, butthe next day, their lives went on. But we lived with it every day. It'ssimilar here. The hurricane is now an occasional spot in the news backeast, but it will be present here for a long time.
We're staying in a Quality Hotel in Meterie, near the airport. Our grouphas about 20 rooms. The other rooms are for displaced families. When wefirst got in, some of the other guests were hanging in the hallways andhaving a loud time. My first instinct was to ask them to keep itdown....until I realized that this hotel is their home and the hallways aretheir backyard.
We met up with Big Joe Henry at the Marriott. If you need a Santa Claus forany upcoming events, Big Joe is your man! He's got a custom-made Santa Claus suit, a custom-made "throne" and a backdrop that makes you believe in Santa. He's bigger than life...the biggest ass Santa Claus I've ever seen!Hundreds of children and their families came to get a gift from Santa andstayed on to enjoy the antics of Holiday Express. A large part of the groupof children was from a Catholic school for children who are mentallychallenged. They had a ball....so innocent and full of life. The "LoveTrain" conga line had everyone moving. They were not shy and danced with usfrom start to finish.
With a 90 minute turnaround, Holiday Express went to the Loew's Hotel to puton the show for relief workers from FEMA, Coast Guard, Navy and a marinerecovery group. Those people just needed some stress relief. When theyfirst came into the ballroom, they were dubious and suspicious...a groupfrom NJ, what could this mean? I even had to beg one guy to stay. And hewas glad that he did. Again, everyone enjoyed the night.
Today we are going to Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. We'll keep you postedon the comings and goings. We'll try to email some photos if I can figureout how to do it.
I couldn't help sending out a note stating how impressive this week was.
OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER: I use the term volunteer for everyone in our gang -musicians, elves, warehousers, teamsters, event gangs, creatures and even Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
We felt like the kids who for the first time, got to stay home while their parents went on a vacation. I'm not sure if we were good boys and girls and did not use the stove while Mom and Dad were away. Or, we were fun loving teenagers that started a party as soon as Mom and Dad's tail lights were out of sight, and continued through last night. Of course we cleaned up all of the mess and all traces of the party before they returned. I think it feels like a little of both..it feels really good. Mom and Dad will be proud.
I know that during the season, we sometimes feel there may be enough volunteers for an event or duty, and we can stay home. It is true that sometimes there are, and sometimes there are not.
This week felt different to me in that, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) must have said to them selves, "I have to go because there won't be enough people to make the event a success if I stay home."
Everyone seemed to have our 'Peeps' in their hearts. Our turn out at every event was as good, if not larger than weeks past. Strong event staff, volunteers dressing as creatures (with no prior experience),
Tons of raffles (Harbor School), big horn sections, lots of singers, good back band... what is better than that.
We visited two new events this week, as well as a few old favorites. From where I was standing, everyone had a great time!
There were volunteers that showed up for the first time ever, simply to help out in the week we needed them the most. There were volunteers who I'm sure gave up something they probably couldn't (or shouldn't), simply to make one event happen. (I would love to hear the excuses our bosses heard this week.) There were familiar faces that we see providing the foundation... Amazing!
I know why everyone pushed it this week. You know too. Because, at some moment at one of these events, we have all heard Dana sing Silent Night at Lakeview School, or - we saw the kids at Harbor School hugging Santa with all they had, or - the folks at University Behavioral sing Jingle Bell Rock to us, or Theresa at University Behavioral sings 'One Little Christmas Tree' and hits it out of the park, or Deidre starting the show at Woodbridge with 'Jingle Bell Rock', or - having a rockin' time with our Peeps from ARC last night (Germain sings 'Most Wonderful Time' WELL complete with modulation), or - any number of our volunteers with tears in their eyes at times throughout each event... I only mentioned 1 or 2 miracles out of a couple of events just this week. Each event has many miracles that unfold right before us... Where else on this earth would you want to be? We are so lucky that not only could we dream we would have this opportunity, but we actually are blessed with living it.
Almost done...
I agree with many of what Tim says. Especially the part about not singling any one volunteer out. Everyone gives all they have all the time. That being said, I gotta tell you Donna Edington is amazing. I got a whole new perspective on Donna this week. This lady does a ridiculous amount of work and all for our peeps AND us.
Donna: Organizes the flow of the show between the band and the creature guests/ elves and the raffles and the Disco Santas and the music books and the costumes and the 12 days.
Then: On the bus Donna makes sure we are fed, (well) all newbies are wrapped in swaddling Holex wear, we can get tour shirts, Count Basie/ NJPAC tix, buy CD's, Organizes our Comp tickets.
And in my ten years -Donna has not missed a show (sorry... event)
I wanted to publicly say Thanks to Donna. I am glad she stayed back with the kids, and I'm glad she's on our side.
Hell of a week... nice work!
Love,
Jim
