From Leo Dossen, President of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC.
Fellow members, friends and supporters of LICOS, on behalf of my family and the Administration of the Liberian Community of Syracuse, (LICOS) INC. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a delightful New Year.
At Christmas our thoughts are always with our families, relatives and friends; it’s the time of the year we sit quietly and think of our blessings. Christmas is about thanksgiving, sharing, hoping and wishing for life’s very best. We give gifts because Christ first gave the most ultimate gift. Yes, the holiday season is a time to reflect on the past, and to look to the future with hope and confidence. It is a time of celebration and a time for compassion. Many of us will be thinking of close friends and loved ones whom we may have lost during the year. As always, I hope you can spare a thought and remember the unfortunate ones. Please remember to share the seasons joy with others less fortunate and bring a smile to someone face.
As we approach the New Year, I would like to extend special greetings to our members and friends who have been there for us and given us their supports. As always, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Once again, my hope for 2010 and beyond is that the goodwill and respect for each other will not be compromised and we shall keep up to the challenges that we are faced with to keep the Liberian Community of Syracuse maintains its status, and remains focus on bridging the gap.
Needless to recount how grateful I am for the support and respect I received during the few months since my presidency in carrying out my responsibilities as the President of this noble Community. Reflecting on my blessings, I thank God for my family and also delighted to state that I am honored to accept the opportunity to serve you. Although LICOS nevertheless faces difficult times and challenges, it still maintains its most valued asset, you the members.
When I think of the blessings LICOS has enjoyed, it always comes down to the dedicated leaders and members who have decided to commit themselves to LICOS’ business and activities. It is your dedications that inspired me to be confidence in taking on the challenges ahead of my leadership. I can assure you that your years of dedications and continuous commitments shall never be forgotten. Rest assured that the Leo Dossen administration, with your support will continue to steer LICOS forward in the spirit of solidarity and I promised to neither leave nor forsake you during difficult times ahead.
Fellow members, friends and supporters of LICOS, I also want to use this forum to remind you of our objective as a Community which is to promote a sense of belonging among ourselves and to establish a support system that provides for the general welfare of Liberians here in Syracuse and building a successful Liberian Community; for the exchange of ideas and to serve as a primary forum to address issues and concerns facing the Liberian Community. I strongly encourage you to please find a room in your hearts for forgiveness and see reasons to reconcile our differences and to join hands together as brothers and sisters in lifting our Liberian Community to a brighter future.
I know some of us are dealing with uncertainty about the future. Rest assured that, the future seems more certain and brighter as we approach it with hope and prayers. Indeed, among my many blessings, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you in the capacity of president of the Liberian Community of Syracuse. I am grateful to my Executive as well as the various standing committees for their sacrifices and services to our people. I am grateful to our supporters and I am grateful to all my fellow members who are so supportive and committed in uplifting this great Liberian Community and above all, I am grateful to God. Let us begin 2010 with renewed commitments to our duties and responsibilities.
May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill; may the year ahead be full of joy. Compliment of the season and may God bless you all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Leo Dossen, LICOS’ President
