A Message from Chamber CEO Douglass Wilhoit:
Christmas a Great Time to Think 
of the Troops

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DECEMBER 2007 - On behalf of your Chamber Officers, Board of Directors, staff and myself, may I take this opportunity to let you know that we all hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We also wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. May the new year of 2008 bring you happiness, good health, prosperity and a better connection with the entire community of Stockton!

Each month in this column I try to be as current as I can with what is going on here in Stockton and with your Chamber. I never sit at my desk wondering what to write about since there is so much going on that we should all know about and participate in.

As I sit here today, November 14, 2007, I have a strong feeling of gratitude to all the people I know and those I don’t who do so much for our community.

With that in mind, I want to remind you about the thousands of citizens of these United States of America, some of whom are citizens of our great City and County, who are in the Armed Forces. Many of them are away from family and friends protecting our way of life so we can be secure in our homes and business during this most special time of the year and forever more.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to remember and support the brave men and women who put themselves in harms way to protect us. Sadly one such Stocktonian, Jesse Mizener, was killed in Iraq on January 7, 2004.

He received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his sacrifice for all of us. It is understood that his wife, Nicole, newborn son Alex, his daughters Eve and Gia and his parents were devastated. We all send them our condolences and continued prayers for them and all the families who have lost a loved one or still have loved ones serving their country.

As a result of the families’ and communities’ loss, Jesse’s mother, Becky Mizener, founded Packed with Pride (www.packedwithpride.com). The organization is designed to send packages of “goodies” and “necessities” to the troops to lessen their burden and let them know that they are loved, missed and appreciated.

In the Packed with Pride brochure, there are several quotes from the recipients of Mrs. Mizener’s wonderful program.

One such is from the Marines of the 670th: “Ms. Mizener….You wouldn’t believe the looks on some of the Marines’ faces when we opened your package. There is nothing out here that reminds us of home, and all the things in the package reminded us of all the little things that we miss!

It does get pretty hard out here sometimes, but with the help of Patriots like you back in the real world, it makes it easier. I think your package has boosted the moral of each and every one of our fellow Marines. Thank you again, and God bless you.”

During this most blessed of all seasons, and a time when families should be together, you can help by first going to the Packed with Pride website (noted above) for information on how you can be a wonderful part of this program.

You also have an opportunity to help raise funds for postage for these wonderful packages from HOME by participating in a raffle that is taking place right now.

Hopefully, you read the e-mail blast we sent on Tuesday, November 13 and if not let me refer you to the insert in this month’s Port O Call brought to you with the help of PIP Printing.

I want to thank Chamber Past President Ort Lofthus and long-time Chamber member and former Board Member Reed Robbins for all their work on this wonderful project. Their efforts, along with many others too numerous to mention here, truly have been a help to and source of support for Mrs. Mizener and her efforts.

For information on where you can send your donation and receive your raffle tickets, contact Mr. Robbins at 466-5200 or Cameron Pannabecher at 475-1050.

I also want to thank the Chambers Business Education Alliance (BEA) coordinator, Ramona Steele, for spearheading the letters from the school children that have gone in packages already sent to the troops. Please refer to her article on Page 4 of this month’s Port O Call.

If you choose to help Packed with Pride, I know it will be greatly appreciated by the Mizener family, those that have worked with her and most importantly those brave men and women who will be the recipients of your generosity and support.

What better way to share our blessings and happiness than with those who are protecting us!

Again, on behalf of all of us here at The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, may I again wish you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.