Chairman's Message

We have now started planning Snowball Express VII for 2012 with a renewed sense of purpose.

It was joyous sharing time this past December with so many Snowball Express children, moms and family members. The songs, the rodeo, the rides and games, the time together on the planes and busses, the honor guard of the Patriot Riders everywhere we went, were all wonderful.  Seeing the smiles on so many faces, experiencing renewed friendships, building new ones, having fun and remembering your loved ones whose service and sacrifice, along with your own, is so strong in our minds.

Our mission statement says: We create hope and new memories for the children of our fallen military heroes who died while serving our country since 9/11.

We hope SBE VI brought new friends into your lives and strengthened your children, while creating some wonderful new memories for every child we serve.  As we fulfill our mission, we also honor the memory of your fallen hero. Their sacrifice and your family’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

I have served on the SBE board for three years now and your board asked me to serve as your chairman this year.  I will do everything within my power to help lead our board and our many wonderful volunteers as we plan SBE VII and Snowflake events around the country with the goal of reaching more children and families and making 2012 a year of love and tribute to our fallen and joy for each of you.

I also have the honor of “introducing” to you Snowball Express new Executive Director.  But, this man is not new to many of you. You saw him and his hard work in our very successful SBE VI. Buck Kern, the Chairman of Snowball Express this past year, has decided to leave his job as Director of Operations at Neiman Marcus and accept the full time position as Snowball Express Executive Director so that he can devote 100% of his time and energies to Snowball Express. We look forward to Buck’s leadership in making 2012 SBE VII and beyond all the more positive, exciting and wonderful for your children and you.

Look for a new survey in your email. We need your feedback to make sure SBE VII serves as much of your children’s interests as is consistent with our mission and our abilities.

God bless each of your children, your families and loved ones and god bless your fallen heroes.

To our Volunteers and Donors:

We salute and thank each and every one of you for your service and support of the Snowball Express children and families. We could not fulfill our mission without you and your very generous work and contributions. We are so very thankful you choose to support these children and honor their parent’s memory.  I look forward to thanking you personally and working with you during 2012.

To the members of the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Trustees, and members of our Event Planning Committees:

Your dedication, your service, and the immense time and energy that you put forth year in and year out behind the scenes is awe inspiring. One child’s smile is payback, the smiles of all these children, that is a like sunshine!

Sincerely,

Gary B. Lawson

Chairman of the Board

Snowball Express, Inc