 Good afternoon. I'm Thorway Warren, the president and CEO of the Babcock Center and the Babcock Center Foundation. Each year our board is tasked to determine the subject of the official Columbia City Christmas ornament. It is a difficult decision every year as Columbia has many, many beautiful historic sites and buildings and so it's always a tough decision for our board and so this year we're proud to say the Babcock Center Foundation is going to unveil the 2022 official Columbia City ornament depicting the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. We also have here with Cheryl Swanson. Cheryl is the vice president general manager of the convention center. Cheryl we want to thank you so much for porting the effort on behalf of the people of lifelong disabilities here in Columbia. Centrally located in South Carolina's historic capital city of Columbia, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is situated within the Vista Entertainment District which is the home to many restaurants, shops, breweries, festivals and live music. The area offers affordable accommodation, exciting sporting venues and warmer weather year round. A revitalized main street and the region's beautiful river walk trails are very easily accessible. For 18 years the CMCC has been a cornerstone of the community welcoming guests from all over the country and incorporating local elements into each event providing special touches and a sense of place. Proceeds from the ornament sales will benefit the Babcock Center Foundation. Funds from the ornament sales are used to enhance the lives of people with lifelong disabilities in various ways such as providing of medical and dental care, covering not being covered by insurance as well as providing the amenities of life that we all take for granted, such as clothing, bedroom and home furnishing and resources for recreation and social activities. All of this makes it possible for the Babcock Center to achieve its mission to empower people with lifelong disabilities to enjoy life by promoting abilities and respecting choices. So on behalf of the Foundation and the Board of Directors I would like to thank all of you, our lawyer collectors who have supported this project year after year since 1993. It is a very heartwarming to see the opportunities of support that the community always invest in our individuals during the holiday season. Their contributions help us to achieve our mission and make positive impacts on the lives of people with lifelong disabilities. Finally, the ornaments are $20 each and may be purchased at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the Columbia Visitor Center, or by calling the Babcock Center Foundation at 803-799-1970. You may also purchase them online at www.babcockcenter.org. So it's my pleasure to present Mayor Rickerman with the first official city ornament and would like to ask him to say a few words. Thank you. This makes me excited. You know it's the beginning of the season but it's also here we are again. This really reflects our community. A community that is compassionate and caring and the holiday season always brings out the best but I love to say that Columbia is one of the most compassionate communities year round and our continued support and to know that an ornament has been going on and donations going back to the Babcock Center since 1993 is an incredible story. It just shows who we are as a community and why we're the number one city in South Carolina. We may not be the most populated but we have the biggest hearts, the biggest minds, and we do more than any other community out there. I'm very excited to be part of this. Thank you very much. Well it means a lot not only to the building but to the staff, the people that use the convention center, and the community. It's one of the best assets that our community has that showcases our city to the rest of the world. We have people come in from all over the region, the state, the nation, and I think that it's a great honor and we're very privileged to accept that honor. Thank you.