A fraction of the many thoughtful donations we’ve received!

Growing up, saying “Thank You,” was a very important skill to master, but also a highly valued expectation of my family. Thank you’s were passed back and forth all day long: parent to child, child to parent, and child to child. If someone did something for you, the ONLY response was “thank you”, whether or not that was really what you wanted to say. The memorable times I really dreaded the infamous “Thank Yous” as a youngster was when it was time to write them – and we did, especially in light of all that we received over  a birthday or Christmas.

Fast forward a few decades (just a few!) and I find myself stumbling and fumbling to write thank yous and say “thank you” once again as founder and now director of Fairbanks Youth Advocates. Why? It has nothing to do with dreading, and everything to do with feeling that no word combinations can express how showered upon, loved upon, blessed, blown away, you name it – how we feel and how thankful and grateful we are to so many agencies, families, individuals, churches and community service organizations who gave, and gave, and gave.

We were exceedingly and abundantly showered upon with calls of encouragement, material items like clothing and blankets, food of all kinds and financial contributions. The kind, caring and generous nature of Fairbanksans showed up day, after day, after day in December and we were left in awe.

Thank you Fairbanks for pouring out your hearts to the youth staying at our overnight shelter. Thank you for the kind thoughts, encouraging words and affirming your partnership in our mission.  We’re still trying to learn how to share how grateful we are.  We don’t always find the right words, or the right way to say things, but we hope you hear our love and gratitude in what we’re trying to say.  When we say “we couldn’t do this without your support,” we mean it! YOU are helping us meet this need in our community and we are so grateful.

Blessings!

Marylee