Letter to the Editor

Your view: A chili thanks

Friday, December 23, 2005

The employees of the Missouri Department of Transportation's Southeast District have just wrapped up their 19th annual Christmas Angels Chili Dinner successfully. Each year, MoDOT employees give their own vacation time to sell, cook and deliver chili to area businesses. Once again I am pleased to report that we worked with the Christmas Angels program through US Bank and the Division of Family Services, and we have purchased gifts for more than 100 children who otherwise wouldn't have received anything.

This great work couldn't have been possible without a lot of help. First, I want to thank Wal-Mart, Morlan Dodge and Duckett Truck for donating money to our program. Even fundraisers have expenses to get going and this would not have been possible without your kindness. We want to give a very special thanks to Vanity Fair and Kaybee Toys. Not only did they offer us a discount on the gift purchases so that our funds could go as far as possible, but they also opened their doors early to make it easier on us while we shopped. I would also like to thank my co-workers and the retirees who gave unselfishly of their time to make some very important children's Christmas wishes come true. I witness the good you do each day in your work and in your lives, and it makes me very happy to thank you publicly for your goodness. Finally, I'd like to thank all the Sikeston area businesses and individuals who purchased chili and helped us raise more than $4,000 for the kids. It is your caring and support, not just of us, but of our community that makes all this possible. We appreciate your dedication to this event and to the 110 children who received what they wanted and needed for Christmas because of you.

I extend a sincere thank you to all who were involved and a wish for the happiest of holidays and a very prosperous new year for all.

Sincerely,

Karen Williams

MoDOT Employees

Christmas Angel Chili Dinner Coordinator