Keeping Santa Con Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow Alive: In Honor of Jeannette Ho

Before the second annual SantaCon in Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow began, Keith Bonney said a few words in honor of his girlfriend Jeannette Ho, who passed away in September and who started SantaCon last year around this time.  He said she asked him what SantaCon was all about.  He told her that it was pretty much like St. Patrick's day but instead of wearing green you dress up like Santa Claus and you pretty much go from bar to bar. But instead of just doing that, Keith said she turned it into a good cause by giving toys and donations to Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY.

After her passing a handful of her good friends who helped her make the first SantaCon happen continued it in her honor with the help of her family.  It started in Tarrytown at the Set Back Inn, then it went to the Tapp and ended at J.P. Doyle's in Sleepy Hollow.  But before all the Santas went to the last spot there was a ceremony in honor of Jeannette in Patriot's Park.  There is where I spoke a few words in honor of my good friend and to an amazing woman who did a lot for this community. 

"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning. For all of us Jay was that someone.  She gave us all the meaning of love for our own special reasons.  So I wanted to take the time to share a little saying that will probanly give us all some much needed love tonight."

A million times we have needed you.  A million times we have cried. If love alone could have saved you.  You never would have died.  In life we loved you dearly.  In death we love you still.  In our hearts you hold a place.  No one else can ever fill.  It broke our hearts to lose you.  But you didn't go alone.  Part of us went with you.  The day God took you home. 

I continued on to say, "Here's to Jay as we all come together. We loved you before, we love you now and we will love you forever."  When I posted this on the SantaCon Tarrytown Facebook page I felt the need to say a BIG Thank You which I will end this with.  A BIG thank you goes to all the places that contributed to the success of this event, the Set Back Inn, The Tapp, J.P. Doyle's and Fleetwood Pizza.  Thank you to Bill Losier and his band who got us all in the Christmas spirit with the songs they played.  To all of Jeannette's friends and family who kept her spirit alive with all the special touches to keep SantaCon going like she would have done.  To everyone who came out and had fun remembering what this time is all about and gave donations to a great cause.

And last but not least let's all remember how much love Jeannette had for all who knew her and how lucky we were to have her in our lives.  Happy Holidays to all!