We are finishing another exciting year of growth and delivery of services! This could not have happened without our Corporate and Individual Members who provide us with fiscal stability and are the backbone of the organization. Thank you for continued support and membership! And, please encourage others to join and participate!

During 2008, our Chamber will continue to focus on helping the growth of Hispanic businesses, adding value to our members and expanding the membership. And, to add to the celebration of this positive year, we encourage you to come to our December 13th networking event and to contribute to "Las Americas Christmas Gift Collection Drive". Additional information about this drive is included in this newsletter.

On behalf of the FCHCC, I wish you all the best for a Healthy, Happy and Productive 2008

PS: Please be on the lookout for your 2008 membership renewal at the end of December/beginning of January. Renewals will be sent via email this year. If you do not receive an email from us prior to January 1st, please email us. Thanks for your cooperation!

My name is Yanira R. Torres. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the U.S. when I was 13 years old, due to the social and political unrest in my homeland. As a realtor with Watson Realty, I can't express how much it means to me to live in this country. I feel as if I'm living the American dream. Spending each day with my dedicated husband Manuel and our two vibrant children Manuel Jr. and Yarelis is a constant source of joy for me.

As I reflect on the changes I've undergone over the years; I can only feel grateful. When I first moved to the U.S., I fought to overcome the language barrier through hard work and diligence. My efforts paid off when I was able to add English to the other languages I speak. Times have not always been easy. But, I have developed an optimistic attitude as I have been able to accomplish many of the goals that I've set for myself.

I live in my own home where my Venezuelan upbringing is still reflected through my love of Latin music, dance, and most importantly, cooking! I am also able to provide the less fortunate in my community with the same attention and compassion that I believe we all need to succeed in life. I feel that I am blessed and can accomplish anything.

As a side note, the members of the Hispanic Chamber thank Yanira and her husband, Manuel, who is currently serving our country in the military, for their dedication to our country. We wish Manuel a safe return home!

Member Information Needed! I would like to thank Yanira for allowing us a bit of insight to her life and thank her for becoming a member of the FCHCC. Hopefully we will be able to keep up with the "Membership Spot Light" section of the newsletter. If you or someone you know is interested in providing information to us and being featured in an upcoming addition, please let me know. We ask that you keep the paragraph to appx 300 words or less and include a picture of you or your company logo. It is an excellent way to spot light your business and you as an individual.If you are interested and/or would like more infomation, please contact Erin Foster at FCHCC@comcast.net and I am happy to help you. I would really love to see this info item back in the newsletter for good but I need your help. Thanks!

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost here again, which means that once more we come to cordially ask for your help.

On December 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. we are having our most important event of the year; the kick- off and start of our 2007 Christmas Gift Collection Drive. We are asking for your help in insuring our biggest and most successful turn out ever -please tell your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to come join us for a fun filled day of excitement and celebration. (celebrities, music, dance, food, raffles, and more)

This year's goal is better then ever before, the collection of at least four thousands gifts. We're looking forward to your help, in insuring that we once again meet our goals. This is our chance to do something wonderful in the spirit and true meaning of Christmas... the opportunity to bless someone less fortunate then us, and truly in need.

The event will be held at Hola Noticias - La Tremenda & Latino Hits on the corner of Baymeadows Road and Phillips Hwy. Please bring a gift for a small child in need: It's very easy and inexpensive. In a small clear plastic (shoe size) box place a few of the following items: *School Supplies (pencils, pads, coloring books, crayons, etc.) *Toiletries (combs, soaps, toothpaste, brush, etc.) *New Clothing (t-shirts, sweats, socks, open shoes, etc.) *Small NON-Battery Toys *Christmas Card (Optional). Identify each gift for boy or girl and approximate age. You can send as many boxes you wish.

For the past 7 years, with your help we have been able to reach needy children in the far off forgotten places of Colombia, Peru, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. We are also now in the process of opening new doors in Honduras and Mexico. To learn more about our exiting programs please visit us on the web at www.lasamericasproject.org or call us anytime at (904) 303-5441. We would really love to hear from you.

The FCHCC will also be collecting boxes at our December 13th networking meeting, being held at First coast MPO.

I would like to THANK everyone who generously offered to host our FCHCC Meetings in 2007. They are as follows:

December 2007 First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization Contact: Marci Larson, ABC; Public Information Manager (w) 306-7513; mlarson@fcmpo.com 1022 Prudential Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207

Please note that all meetings begin promptly at 6:00pm!

At this month's meeting the MPO will be featuring the dance group Renacer Borincano. Renacer Borincano is a non-profit dance group whose purpose is to educate the Jacksonville community about bomba and plena which is afro-Puerto Rican folkloric dance and music. Bomba and Plena are both part of Puerto Rico's musical heritage. Renacer Borincano is a very lively dance group and they usually have live music consisting of drums. At the end of their shows they usually ask for audience participation.

I would like to thank the following companies for their generous offer to host an FCHCC Meeting in 2008. We had an overwhelming response. Thank you again!

January 2008, Wilson Lending, Contact: John Renny, 8160 W Baymedows Way suite 140, Jacksonville, FL 32256, johnrenney@bellsouth.net

February 2008, Alterman & Johnson Family Chiropractors, Contact: Franca Alterman, 423 N Third Street, Jax Bch, 32250, francabernal@yahoo.com

March 2008, Merrill Lynch - cafeteria Contact: Alida Lupari 4804 Deer Lake Drive East (bldg 3) Jacksonville, FL 32246 (w) 634-6057; Alida_Lupari@ml.com

April 2008, Havana Jax - no confirmed

May Scholarship Lunch - No Meeting

June 2008, JAXPORT Contact: Joanne Kazmierski 2831 Talleyrand Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32206 Joanne.Kazmierski@jaxport.com Phone: 904-354-1230

July 2008, Law Offices of Arthur Hernandez, P.A. Contact: Arthur Hernandez 2223 Oak Street, Suite 711 Jacksonville, Florida 32204 904.389.6989 arthur@arthurhernandez.com

August 2008, AAA - Southside location Contact: Carmen Sostre 8101 Southside Blvd., Suite 2 Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 565-7740 csostre@aaasouth.com

September 2008, PHH Mortgage Contact: Matt Leturmy 5201 Gate Parkway Jacksonville, Florida 32256 Matthew.Leturmy@mortgagefamily.com Phone: 904-445-4506

October 2008, BCBSFL / HOLA Hispanic Organization for Leadership & Advancement Contact: Jose Rodriguez 4800 Deerwood Campus Parkway Jacksonville, Florida 32246 Jose.Rodriguez@bcbsfl.com

November 2008

December 2008, State Farm Insurance Contact: Becky Vasko becky.vasko.iam8@statefarm.com

Reminder that ALL Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of each month and will begin at 6:00pm, sharp!

Are you in need of Notary Services? If so, contact Erin Foster at FCHCC@comcast.net. I am a certified Notary for the State of Florida and am happy to now provide a FREE Service to all FCHCC Members. If you are interested, please contact me so we can set up a time and place to meet.

The Spanish Cultural Society of North Fla., Inc. continuing with the ongoing series of cultural events, is presenting on Sunday, December 16, 2007, the country of Venezuela.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2007 from 5:00PM until 9:00 PM

Where: Ramirez Restaurant, 1237 Park Ave. (Hwy. 17), Orange Park, Fla. ,(904) 278-9040

Authentic Venezuelan cuisine, a power point presentation featuring the country of Nicaragua with visuals, and a cultural movie of the most interesting and beautiful sites of the country. Performance by the Venezuelan Association of Jacksonville.

Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the Door.

Proceeds after expenses will benefit the American Cancer Society.

For additional information contact the Cultural Society, P.O. Box 1853, Orange Park, Fla. 32073-1853. Phone (904) 278-0173, e:mail: seville3@bellsouth.net

Please be aware that as of January 1, 2008, the FCHCC will begin collecting $5 at the door from each NON-MEMBER to attend the monthly networking meetings.

We ask that you please bring exact change as it will help us when collecting the funds.

If you have any questions or would like to become a member, please email me or view the FCHCC website at www.FCHCC.com for membership information.

Upon reaching the second half of life, have you selected Entrepreneurship as your second career? If so, there is a new resource, the Boomerpreneur Roundtable, to help you make this selection a success.

The Boomerpreneur Roundtable is for individuals that have decided on an idea for a business or have recently started a business and would like the opportunity to: Ø obtain information Ø discuss areas of concern with their peers under the guidance of a facilitator.

As a member you will benefit from the following: Ø Roundtable Discussions The roundtable provides an informal format that encourages interaction, time for questions and answers, and the opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs and advisors/experts. Members will meet twice a month for 90 minutes with their peers under the guidance of a group facilitator to discuss a variety of topics related specifically to boomer entrepreneurs.

January 17th Introduction Session: What is a Boomerpreneur?  Get acquainted session/Explanation of roundtable concept  Where are you in the process of becoming a Boomerpreneur?  Insights from a Boomerpreneur that has made a successful transition · Speaker: Byron McCuthen, 557-3215 byronmccutchen@iib.ws

January 31st Making the transition from the corporate to the entrepreneurial world  What is different: being in business vs employment?  Making the risk taking rewarding: finding the balance · Speaker

The FCHCC will immediately begin accepting Paypal payements. You can pay for your membership this way and even workshops. You MUST have a Paypal account already or set up an account before being able to use this feature. There are 2 options for you regarding using Paypal. They are as follows:

OPTION #1: Invoice Payments If you would like to remit payment this way, please send an email to fchcc@comcast.net and let me know what you need to be invoiced for - membership, workshops, both, sponsorships, etc. I will in turn send you an invoice/request for payment through Paypal. There is a direct link to pay once I send the invoice.

OPTION #2: Direct Pay Directions for sending money (without my invoice) would be as follows: 1. Go to www.paypal.com and log in. 2. Go to the top of the page to the tab that reads "send money". 3. Fill in the information required: *"To" should always be FCHCC@comcast.net, *"Amount" - what ever amount you owe, *"For" should always be Services/Other", *Hit "continue" and after reviewing screen, hit send payment. A payment will automatically be made to the FCHCC. 4. You can also add a note to us if you would like.

In either case, both parties, the payor and the FCHCC, will be notified of payment via email. If you have any trouble using this option, please send an email to FCHCC@comcast.net and I will be more than happy to walk you through the process. If you would like to do a TRIAL payment, please use either method above and send $0.01 (one cent) to the FCHCC as described in Option #2, above. If you would like to be invoiced for the $0.01 (one cent), as described in Option #1, above, please send an email to FCHCC@comcast.net, requesting an invoice be sent.

When: Dec. 7 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Where: SBA's North Florida District on Baymeadows Way

Topics for discussion: "Green" building, the 8 (a) program and marketing a home-based business.

If you would like to attend, please contact: Donna Padgug, Business Development Specialist , U.S. Small Business Administration, North Florida District Office , (904) 443-1971 , (202) 481-1719 (fax), donna.padgug@sba.gov

Limited Space is Available!

The Quigly House (shelter for battered women) is looking for a volunteer to do translations. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact Sharon Youngerman at 904-284-0061.