To the editor:

My letter of thanks to all the generous people who donated money for the East Liverpool Diamond Christmas Tree (like the one in Columbiana).

I started out early many, many mornings and knocked on many, many doors with a picture in my hand and a hopeful smile on my 92-year-old face trying to get people to think we needed this tree as much as I did. With a thankful prayer in my heart, we finally reached the goal of $10,000. However, the star for the top was another $500. My Glenmoor grade school friend, Betty Murray, from Florida saw the picture in The Review of me soliciting from Raymond Wayne of Heritage Environmental Services and she sent her second contribution of $500 so the tree would be complete. I am so humbled by these acts of kindness.

It has been ordered and I had hoped that it would have been in time to dedicate it to Mayor Bricker before he left office. But that couldn’t happen. I am a member of the East Liverpool-Calcutta Area Garden Club and many, many mornings we would be downtown pulling weeds, sweeping and planting flowers. He was always there working right along with us.

If you feel he didn’t do enough for the city during his reign, point your finger at yourself. What did you do for our city to make it a more desirable place to live?

Your city councilman, Jeff Kreefer, and the East Liverpool firemen hung lights all over the city last year. Be sure to thank them when you have the opportunity. There are so many ways to volunteer your services. We have a new mayor now, so just ask him what you can do to help make East Liverpool a wonderful, desirable place to live. I’m sure he will be able to find a job for you. When Christmas time comes next year, we’ll have a beautiful new Diamond Christmas Tree. My love and thanks to all of you donating to this wonderful project.

“This town is your town. This town is my town. From east to west end, all up and down. From the Ohio River and Allegheny Mountains, this town was meant for you and me. I’ve been away from this place I call home. But I’m content now, nor more to roam. I’ll spend my life here and end this poem. This town was made for you and me.”

GINA JACKSON,

East Liverpool