The Simi Valley Patriots have so much to be thankful for. As we look forward to the 2008 season we want to take the time to thank everyone for the "community effort" which makes the Simi Valley Patriots youth football program successful.

We realize that the City of Simi Valley, local businesses and organizations do not owe us anything, yet, we receive generous contributions in many forms from them! We believe it's extremely important that these efforts do not go on unrecognized, as they are crucial to the development of Simi Valley's youth - Simi Valley's future leaders.

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District have been an absolute blessing by allowing us to utilize Berylwood Park as our official Patriots practice location. By the way, thank you coaches, parents and players for always leaving the fields clean after practice.

Grace Brethren High School, have also been a blessing, as they too have been partnering with the Patriots youth football program from our humble beginnings, three years ago. Our first year, Grace Brethren, being true to their name, Graciously allowed us to utilize their grass fields for our preseason practices. In 2006, the Patriots organization worked along side Grace Brethren's football head coach, Terry Gourley, to transform the outfield of their baseball field into an official football field. Since then, Grace Brethren generously offered us the opportunity to utilize their property as our official home field.

Partnering with Grace Brethren led us to another fantastic partnership with CenterPoint Church, who's property is adjacent to the south of Grace's field. Having Grace as our home field meant extra cars parking in and around the school and since Grace has a very respectful agreement with the local residents of not having cars park on the residential side of the street, this posed a challenge for us to also honor that agreement with the local residents. Senior Pastor, Steve Pope and his facility manager, Ed Reese, were quick to accommodate our needs by allowing us to utilize their church parking lot. Thus, enabling us to also honor Grace Brethren's agreement with it's residential neighbors.

Another special "Thank you" goes to City of Simi Valley Mayor, Paul Miller, and City Council, as they took the time to recognize the outstanding efforts of our 2006 Pee Wee Division Team, who managed to end the season with an undefeated regular season record of 8-0 and bring home the Central Division Championship. During a City Council meeting, Paul Miller personally awarded each Pee Wee player with a Certificate of Commendation signed by the Mayor and City Council members. It made for an exciting evening for our seven and eight year old boys. We cannot thank the Mayor and the City Council Members enough for assisting us in reaching our goal of developing athletes with integrity, as I personally believe this award ceremony will forever live in the memories of these young boys and will instill in them a sense of community pride for their City, Simi Valley. Many of these young boys will grow to become the future of Simi Valley, therefore, it is essential for us as a community to continue to come together in developing the youth of Simi Valley.

The Simi Valley Patriots Youth Football program is truly thankful and appreciative for the community effort that has assisted us in serving the families of Simi Valley. Thank you everyone for partnering with us and sharing the vision of developing the future generations of Simi Valley as well as preserving the wholesomeness of our City.

Sincerely,

Simi Valley Patriots Board