By Jerry Yeatts, F39000
Executive Director
December 2014
It’s October, and I’m trying to get in the spirit to write a festive holiday message. The temperature is in the 60s and leaves are crunching underneath my feet. “C’mon, Jer,” I say to myself. “Be creative in finding a way to put that ‘merry’ into Christmas. Let’s not make, ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ turn into ‘I’m dreading Christmas.’” How in the world can I get myself ready for this season of joy?
I’m hoping the staff outside my office have not heard or seen me listening to Christmas carols and watching clips of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I’ve tried to keep the volume low on my laptop’s speaker so fellow employees don’t think I have completely lost it.
Finally, it came to me! I proceeded to the local Sam’s Club to take in all the Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, air-inflated snow globes, and everything else Christmas! (You do know that Sam’s Club and Costco are FMCA commercial partners that extend special offers to FMCA members, don’t you? See FMCA.com for details.) The only thing missing was the sound of Christmas carols over the loudspeaker. I walked around in anticipation of seeing something that would spark that holiday cheer in me. Still, nothing.
I came back home and began looking at Web sites that might help me get in the mood. I was surprised to see the top 20 songs we “never get sick of,” according to the Huffington Post, included “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” and “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight).” A second Web site listed the “100 Greatest Christmas Songs” and at least ranked “White Christmas” as number one, followed by “The Chipmunk Song” and “Rudolf, The Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Both song lists included a tune I was not familiar with, called “What Christmas Means to Me,” written by Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye, and George Gordy. A Motown favorite, it was first recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967 and since recorded by artists such as Hanson, Jessica Simpson, Michael McDonald, Nick Lachey, and Cee Lo Green. The lyrics speak about candles, mistletoe, snow, choirs singing carols, angels, decking the halls with holly, and singing sweet “Silent Night.”
It hit me. Christmas is a feeling. It’s not just a season of giving, but a moment of time that we hold dear to our hearts in offering an extra smile or hug to a loved one, a colleague, and sometimes even a total stranger. It’s the anticipation of something great that’s about to happen, even if it is celebrating something that may have happened more than 2,000 years ago. It’s the secret hiding places for those special gifts for loved ones, and the games we all play in looking to see what may be under the tree on Christmas Eve. It’s the smell of cookies baking, and the sounds of carolers walking down the street. It’s the luminaries adorning the entrances to our homes. No matter our backgrounds, beliefs, or religious affiliations, we still hold dear to our hearts that special enjoyment of being with family and friends. Yes, it’s that feeling that seems to come to life so dramatically during the one short season.
FMCA has had a very good year. Maybe it’s just that Christmas-like feeling that has come over me, but I believe something special is taking place. FMCA’s Governing Board voted to re-establish FMCAssist, a medical evacuation and repatriation program, as an association-paid member benefit beginning October 1. As Charlie Adcock mentioned in his “President’s Message” this month, this “gift” helped a member in a time of need just a few days after the program took effect.
Earlier in the year, FMCA RVinsurance was introduced to the FMCA membership. In just six months, nearly 2,500 of you have requested quotes and have realized a new benefit to your membership. The Michelin Advantage program has given many members a substantial savings in the purchase of tires. The new FMCA Mail Forwarding Service powered by DakotaPost has provided an outstanding mail forwarding program with enhanced features that our current program could not competitively offer.
I would like to introduce FMCA’s newest member benefit, FMCA Road Assist. This roadside assistance program was designed after receiving feedback from more than 2,000 members regarding what they considered important in a roadside assistance program. It is available to U.S. and Canadian members. Features include towing of your motorhome to the nearest qualified repair center, fuel delivery, lockout service, tire change, battery boost, trip interruption up to $1,500, winching service, RV technical assistance, mobile mechanic and mobile tire services, and coverage for multiple RVs and additional vehicles, among other benefits and services. Those of you who like to attend chapter gatherings, area rallies, and FMCA Family Reunions will be pleased to know that FMCA Road Assist will provide services you may need while you are attending an FMCA-authorized event. Please see the ad on page 11 for additional information about this great new benefit.
Many of you have also asked when we will be producing the eighth edition of FMCA’s North American Road Atlas and Travel Guide. I am pleased to inform you that we anticipate an early 2015 release of this popular guide. Features of the updated atlas will include new locations for Walmart, Cracker Barrel restaurants, Pilot Flying J, Love’s Travel Centers, and TravelCenters of America.
So, as you can see, the sleigh, er, uh, motorhome, has been loaded with lots of goodies this holiday season. I can tell you that the elves are still busy at work putting more gifts together for FMCA members in 2015. In the meantime, the best gift you can give to your motorhome friends is the warm welcome of fellowship, and possibly a hug. For your friends who are not FMCA members, or are former members, please let them know about FMCAssist as a member benefit. Former members who no longer own a motorhome may rejoin as an associate member and receive the same peace of mind as they travel to see loved ones.
As Andy Rooney wrote, “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”
May you experience all the joy this season has to offer. Safe travels.
National Office Holiday Schedule. In observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the FMCA national office will be closed December 24, 25, and 31, as well as January 1, 2015.
Please Allow Extra Time For January FMC To Arrive. Since the January issue of Family Motor Coaching enters the mail stream close to the Christmas holiday, it ends up in the mix of holiday mail, and delivery also can be impacted by the Christmas and New Year’s closures of the U.S. Post Office. So, please allow extra time for this particular issue of the magazine to reach you. If you still do not have your copy by January 15, feel free to contact the Member Services staff at the FMCA national office (membership@fmca.com; 513-474-3622, 800-543-3622) to verify your address and request a replacement copy if needed.