I just realized that MonteCarloSS.com's 3rd birthday wizzed right by and was un-noticed (by me particularly). July 9th is the birthday for the site. The message board came along about 6 months later in December of 1999.

It's traditionally at this time of year that I look back and reflect at where we've been, and how we've evolved in the past year.

We suffered a devastating server crash and associated 6 month (8/01 - 2/02) data loss here on the Message Board. Thankfully, none of the sites files or images were lost. If we had not lost those 6 months, our membership count would be over 3000 by now. Thankfully the community continues to grow in leaps and bounds. For those who have joined us in the last 12 months.. welcome aboard! We're glad you joined us!

We gained many new Moderators this past year to help the community grow in the right direction. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every one of them for stepping up and doing this community a great service. You guys are great!

We also touched off our website merchandise. While sales haven't been through the roof, I'm confident the merchandise is satisfying the itch for those who want products with some great website designs on them.

It's also at this time that I remind everyone that this is a user supported website... free of banner ads and user fees. All donations are used strictly for website maintenance and projects. Our current website fund, while adequate for the moment to support our near term needs, would eventually dry up if donations were to dry up. Those of you who know me well, know I don't like asking the membership to donate. I have always figured that if someone gets a lot of useful information, establishes lasting friendships and yes, obtains income from the site (for those selling cars and parts), that they would step up on their own to help support the site, and ensure it's around in the future. I have to swallow my pride once a year and put forth the plea for donations.. so I don't have to constantly remind and nag everyone often. The majority of our yearly website donation fund comes in during this "donation drive".. and it's those donations that carry us through the rest of the year. So here goes..

* If you feel you've gotten useful information from the website and community we have established, information that perhaps has saved you money in repair bills...
* If you've improved your on-track performance through performance tips and tricks here on the site and in the community...
* If you feel you've made lasting friendships unique to our common bond here in the community...
* If you feel you've finally found a fun and enjoyable place in this world to hang out with like minded enthusiasts...
* If you've turned a good profit from the parts or cars you've sold here on the site (with no fees charged)...
* If you're happy we don't have any of those annoying banner ads that spam your screen on every page like other automotive communities...
* If you really care about what we have going here, and want to see it continue far into the future...

** Please consider making a donation to the site, whether small or large in size. Every little bit helps in the long run. As I said earlier, all donations go into a separate website account that are used strictly for the website. I make absolutely no profit, and don't retain any personal fees for my administrative services at all. I'm a volunteer, like our terrific group of Moderators.

Donations can be sent to:
Paul Carreiro
15607 Cordary Ave
El Camino Village, CA
90260-3530

For those who have donated to the website in the last 12 months, a heartfelt thank you from me, on behalf of the community as a whole. MonteCarloSS.com would not be here without your collective contributions.

For those who have contributed to the community, with your guideance, expertise and frienship.. a big thank you is also due. As many know I'm very humble when it comes to the site and don't like taking credit. I truely feel it's the membership of the community that have made MonteCarloSS.com what it is today. So as a humble webmaster, administrator, moderator and member of this community.. Thank YOU, for making this such a great place to hang out. I consider each and every one of you a good friend.

So HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY MonteCarloSS.com!