A Letter from Jeanne Brooks

Jon, just a note to keep in touch.

Though we're not located in Pearlington anymore, you know my heart is still with the children and families of that community. When we ‘combined’ with Gulfview, I became librarian of the total school and Gulfview's lead teacher remained lead teacher for the combined school.

To date, the school library has received a $50,000.00 National Education Association grant, a $10,000.00 Beyond Words/American Library Association grant, and we're waiting (though the press release is out) for the awarding of a $75,000.00 Laura Bush Foundation grant. We have thousands of books, mostly now cataloged and in place, and a double-wide trailer decorated for each and every season. Right now there's a 9-1/2 foot tall sparkling Christmas tree brimming with an ornament handmade by each child. Not bad for a" little bitty spot on the map!"

Watching the kids faces and hearing the oohs and aahs when they walk in the door, makes it all worthwhile. I've also been working in the wings with donors who are working towards Christmas for the kids and the school. Now that we're close to 600 kids in the combined school, it takes a lot more just to go around!

I just wanted to say thanks to you, to the volunteers, and to so many who have touched my heart in so many ways.

Merry Christmas, y'all and as Tiny Tim in the Christmas classic said many years ago:

"God Bless us, every one!"

Jeanne Brooks