We need a fun place for our children at Christmastime

Christmas is almost here. That means Christmas vacations for all our children and young adults.

Now, picture this happening: I see cars and buses stopping in front of the former Kmart building, which now is the "Skating Palace." Children are walking through the front door decorated with Christmas wreaths and lights. Mom knows the children are having fun with their friends, while she shops, cooks, cleans and gets ready for guests. Dad comes home from work and helps her decorate and wrap presents. The children are ice and roller skating to beautiful, soothing music, eating healthy snacks and having fun exercising. Mom and Dad are preparing for the holidays, and everyone is doing their thing that makes them happy.

Where is that small country town feeling where we all pulled together when we needed something for our children and adults? It used to be here.

Let's make the "Skating Palace" a community project with heart, something we can all do together. The Home Depot could donate the land and building, if it is theirs, to the city. How about them showing they love our communities and are willing to be our sponsor. We will use all their material and products to furnish and build all our sets inside. This could be a living TV advertisement for all their stores. We, as a community, will donate our time and talent to make the "Skating Palace" a reality. Let's show our community spirit because we love living here. Tell the Home Depot, when shopping there, we would like to have them sponsor the "Skating Palace." They will be known as the helpful, friendly store with a heart, who cares about their customers and our community.

Remember that classic Christmas movie, "Miracle on 34th Street"? They showed it this year on Thanksgiving day on NBC. Macy's became the store with a heart. Thanks to Santa, they sent customers to Gimbels if they didn't have the toy the parents wanted, and Gimbels sent the customers to Macy's. This produced a wonderful, kind, caring chain reaction, helping each other.

It could happen here. I trust in the unfolding of miracles in my life, and I'm grateful for all my blessings in this beautiful city.

Impossible vision?

I don't think so! Kristal Watters Thousand Oaks