Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

While my children opened their gifts on Christmas morning, it was hard not to think about how all the other children of Suffolk were spending their Christmas morning as well. It was such a great feeling to know that the Suffolk Cheer Fund was able to provide so many gifts for so many children in Suffolk this year. I’m grateful that I was personally able to pack some of the bags that ended up under their trees. As my daughter beamed with joy opening her new furry boots, I wondered, did the 12-year-old girl love her huge pink squish mellow I picked out for her? Did the baby boy, about my son’s age, who I packed up blocks for, walk up to them and start immediately pulling them all out and stacking them up, like my son did with his own? It’s a profound feeling to know that you, my fine Suffolkians, put $50,000 dollars worth of smiles, wows, awesomes, amazings, so cools and other excited statements children make on Christmas morning under so many Suffolk Christmas trees this year. What joyous thoughts to think on Christmas day. What is even more joyous to think about is next year, because of your generosity, The Suffolk Cheer Fund will be providing $52,766 worth of Christmas Cheer! What a glorious gift!

As the new year is knocking on our door, it is sometimes mind boggling to think about all that happens in a year. While some years feel like they drag on forever and others feel like they go by in the blink of an eye. The reality is, a year is just a small blip on the timeline of life. Our time to leave a lasting impact and make a difference in the world around us is fleeting every day.  What we do with our time matters. The time you spent fundraising for The Cheer Fund, sending your checks, or stopping by the Suffolk News-Herald office with your donations matter. Your gifts matter, they have made a difference this year and all the years preceding this, the funds 90th year in existence.  

Your generosity and thoughtfulness have been the reason the Suffolk Cheer Fund has stood the test of time the last 90 years and with your continued support the Suffolk Cheer Fund legacy will continue to stand strong for another 90 years and another 90 after that. The Christmas spirit is truly about giving to others and Suffolk, you answered the call. I could not be more proud of what the citizens, organizations, businesses and countless others in our city are capable of when it comes to supporting Suffolk children. I consider myself lucky to be a member of such a caring community. Let me express my deepest gratitude for all that you gave this year.  Thanks for helping The Suffolk Cheer celebrate 90 years with this much Cheer!