2007 Schedule |
|
NOVEMBER 29 & 30 NOVEMBER 30
Rockin' Concert with the Lt. Dan Band At The Grove/Anaheim. DECEMBER 1 DECEMBER 3 |
 |
|
|
Snowball Express is happy to be teaming up with American Airlines, the official airline of Snowball Express, to bring the majority of the families to Orange County. A recent story of one of the American Airline flight attendants who volunteered to call the families who will be on her charter flight resulted in this very kind note from a mother with two children who just recently lost her fallen hero. Without even having come to the event yet, Snowball Express is providing her family new hope and memories. We salute our many donors, sponsors and all who are making these new memories possible.
|
|
Dear
Snowball Express Family,
Every now and then, we have one of "those nights" when the missing and the loneliness seem to sneak into the house. It was pouring down rain and everyone was feeling more than a little blue when we realized it was just 8 weeks 'til Christmas, a holiday that most families look forward to but, one that we almost dread, knowing it will be another one without Ed. At 730, we gave up and all piled into my bed to just cuddle and watch movies. Hunkering down seemed like the best thing to do when we could not face the outside world. Then, the phone rang...and it was Izumi, telling us that we were confirmed seats on the charter flight and that we would be coming to California again this year. The mood was instantly changed at our house and my 10 year old daughter actually started crying more, saying "Mom, people DO care!" All of the sudden, we had something to look forward to. My three year old son, who was only one when his dad was killed, started talking about seeing Mickey and what rides he wanted to ride at Disney. The mood went from bleak to beaming in an instant and we haven't even gotten there yet! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Barclay SC
|
|
In addition, the following story is from a young mother who came to last year’s event and experienced a unique moment with her son. She relayed her experience to a Snowball Express volunteer….. I spoke to a young woman in Florida today about travel arrangements. She shared with me the following story: She has two children. She was pregnant with her 2nd child when her husband left for Iraq. Her oldest son was only 4 when his father was killed. At the funeral of her husband, protestors burned flags and had signs that said, “Thank God for IEDs”. This was the memory that burned in her son’s mind and caused him to be very confused about why his father had died and what his service to our country really meant. As they drove to Oakley Saturday morning, as they saw the lined streets with the hundreds of cheering Boy Scouts and families holding welcoming signs, the boy began to cry again. His mother began to comfort him, assuming he was crying because the scene invoked visions of the last time he had seen this, protestors at his father’s funeral. Through her tears, as they could see the signs of support and cheering crowds, she told her confused son they were not protestors but were supporters and were there to celebrate the families’ arrival to Oakley and show their respect for their service and sacrifice. “So
Mom, there are folks who loved my father and our family?” The
mother replied with a simple “Yes, there are.”
And with that simple question and answer, she said her son’s attitude changed dramatically that weekend and forever on how he viewed his father, his death and his service to our country. As they drove up to Oakley the boy continued to cry but not for the same reason as the first set of tears. He was now smiling and knew the price of freedom he and his family had paid was recognized by others. Only through the eyes of a child could that story be told so poignantly on what Snowball Express meant to this family and to so many other families. Please donate to our cause so more families can share in this unique experience for children and spouses. We hope you will tell others also. |
|
Please help
Any contribution amount is welcome from $1 up. It takes $500 to sponsor a child's trip; $1,500 for a family of three. Tax deductible donations are welcome. To make a donation, please click on the "Donate" button.Or, send a check to:
Snowball Express
a 501(c)3 organization
2973 Harbor Blvd. #401
Costa Mesa, California 92626-3912
Phone/Fax 714-662-2033
For more information about contributing or fundraising, please email Trisha Marshall, Fund Development Chair.