December 2022 Executive Director's Corner

Hi There and Happy December!

As the year comes to a close, I find myself constantly reflecting on what an incredible journey it has been. Life has been so good to me in so many ways, and I'm constantly choked up with gratitude for where I've come from and where I am now. I've had one of the greatest growth experiences of my life in this job: I'm surrounded by the most passionate, caring, and successful people all the time. They've mentored, guided, and trained me, and now I get to call them my friends!

First and foremost, I'd like to give an enormous shout out to Walla Walla Cheese Company and Clay in Motion, who are very our first Diamond level Members! Thanks to all contributions, but especially these incredibly generous ones, we as an organization are able to survive another year! We will use these monies to bring more expansive things to our community such as events, business incubators and opportunities, and hire new staff as our incredible Director and Queen, Julie Culjak, moves back into a volunteer role. She will be greatly missed, and hers are HUGE shoes to fill, but we will do our best!

In the last five months, we've executed numerous community events and outreach opportunities: Ribbon Cuttings, Celebrate Milton-Freewater, the 1st Annual Fine Wine & Art Expo, Halloween, Christmas Magic, grants, interviews, and now Membership(!!!). I'd like to take a moment to shout out, yet again, all of the people and organizations that came together to make these things happen- our Promotions & Tourism Committee and Chamber Ambassadors pulled off one of the most beautiful Christmas Parades I've ever seen in real life. The sheer amount of people- DOZENS- that it took to pull off Christmas Magic was extraordinary, and they all did it for our town.

All of this is because of ALL OF YOU: those who've volunteered, those who've participated, and those who've donated.

I have a lot to be grateful for this Holiday Season, and for all of you I am profoundly thankful. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Yours In Service,

Maryelizabeth