Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I wish all of you a very special Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

This has been a very special year because so many of you have given so freely of yourselves for welcoming the immigrants and making this city a more hospitable community. I believe we have all benefited from this past year in building relations in all cultures by building the Bus Shelter - "For The Children", having great food and friendships at the first "International Market", the Ice Cream Social at the Band Concerts in the Park, the many forums, workshops, talking circles, and learning about each other's cultures and stories and getting to know our new brothers and sisters as well those that have been here for many years.

I wish to thank all who gave of themselves this past year and the donations during the year from friends in Faribault, a librarian in St. Paul, Angels from New York, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Rochester, and all over Minnesota for filling a need to bridge a gap between all people no matter of race, color or creed.

I thank all the Foundations, Business's, Law Enforcement, Faribault Chamber of Commerce, South Central College, Fire, Government, Health and Educational institutions and Organizations who helped us make Faribault a welcoming community.

I especially want to thank Bob Kell for leading us this year and the past 6 years with his grace and knowledge and thanks to Dan Burns and Larry Lumblad who were a great part of our mission this past 6 years and moved on this past Summer on their new careers. Also a special thanks to Greg Caron for being the go to guy for everything and being a special friend and bridge to the Latino Community. Thanks to Dan Zelzke for organizing the Ice Cream Socials at the Park and making it possible for the International Market which Vicky Carrillo so wonderfully led. I also want to thank current Board Members, Luis Aguila, Kymn Anderson, Vicky Carrillo, Shirley Drentlaw, Edna Garcia, Gwen Jackson, Joseph L. Mbele, Sally Peters, and Pat Wieseler for there generosity, guidance, friendship and organizing our many projects. There are so many more to thank and am terribly sorry if I've missed your name or organization. Thank you all for your support and attending our monthly meetings and for exercising hospitality to our neighbors, sometimes it just takes a smile.

I thank you for the honor of letting me be the President and Communicator of the Faribault Diversity Coalition for which I cherish and take very seriously. You have all shown the Christmas Spirit throughout the year to this great organization.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Milo

Rehus-Beal-Ledeats, Feliz Navidad, Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny, Novy Rok, Glædelig Jul, Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!or Zalig Kerstfeast, Mele Kalikimaka, Froehliche Weihnachten, Nollaig Shona Dhuit or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat, Buone Feste Natalizie, Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay, Nollaig Shona Dhuit or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat, God Jul or Gledelig Jul, Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie, Chung Mung Giang Sinh, Cestitamo Bozic, God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År, La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou, Feliz Natal, Maligayan Pasko!, Merry Keshmish, Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!, Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah, Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto, Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova, Kala Christouyenna!, Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo, Gesëende Kersfees. and many more around the world wishes.