For many, the December holidays are focused on gift giving. This is truly the "Season of Giving." But too often we forget that the act of giving should be as enjoyable as the pleasure of receiving. It's easy to get caught up in the rush of the holiday season and the mad dash to search for the perfect present. So let's remember that giving takes many forms, from a present to a gift of food to the precious gift of time.

Take CIRI for example, where we are dedicated to the financial success of the corporation for the ongoing benefit of our shareholders. We are also devoted to strengthening the social well-being of our shareholders and their descendants by offering a variety of services through our family of non-profit organizations. CIRI strives to be an exemplary corporate citizen. The corporation supports many social service organizations serving both Alaska's Native and non-Native people throughout Anchorage and the state.

Space does not permit me to list all of CIRI's many corporate contributions, but at this time of giving I'd like to spotlight our employees who give the precious gift of their own time.

For nearly 10 years, CIRI employees have given their lunch hours during the first Wednesday of each month to serve meals to Anchorage's hungry and homeless at Bean's Café. And last month, in recognition of November being Alaska Native Heritage Month, CIRI employees extended their volunteer efforts for the children of Kid's Kitchen by serving a special dinner of pizza, milk and fruit. Kid's Kitchen serves a hot, nutritious meal each evening to more than 200 hungry children at three separate locations across Anchorage. CIRI employees were responsible for planning, providing and serving the meals to children at the Mountain View Community Center, Fairview Recreation Center and Northwest Community Center in Muldoon.

Kid's Kitchen, like Bean's Café, is an organization that relies on the local community to lend a hand in serving meals and contributing food. But we mustn't forget there are numerous other organizations, such as United Way, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Native Justice Center, Catholic Social Services, Special Olympics and many more, that are in need both financially and of volunteer service.

Whether it's a holiday gift, a warm coat, the sharing of a story or the serving of food, we are reminded that when we give we are the ones who gain. We have extended a helping hand to those in need ­ and that's what this season is all about. I wish to thank the board and staff for their many hours of volunteer service to the entities throughout the year and many thanks to all of you that also volunteer your services.

I wish for each of you a true appreciation of the gift of giving. Have a wonderful and safe holiday.

Based on the success of recent drilling efforts, Marathon Oil Company plans to construct an underground gas pipeline next winter that will link new natural gas discoveries at Wolf Lake to Marathon's existing processing facilities at its Beaver Creek field on the Kenai Peninsula. CIRI owns the subsurface estate of the 4,500-acre prospect, which is leased to Marathon for the exploration, development and commercial production of the discovery.

According to Candace Beery, CIRI land manager, the site is near lands that have been producing since the late-50s. "The Wolf Lake site is an old exploratory oil well that has been retapped for natural gas," said Beery. "The site was declared commercially productive this past summer, but CIRI will not see royalties until a

pipeline is laid and commercial production actually begins."

In addition to providing royalty revenues for CIRI and its shareholders, development of the gas field has the potential to create jobs for CIRI shareholders through a shareholder hire provision in the lease, and revenue sharing with the other Alaska Native regional corporations through the Section 7(i) sharing provision of ANCSA.

"This is a moderately sized field and at this time it is too early to approximate any potential revenues," added Beery.

The CIRI Foundation reminds potential applicants about its scholarship and grant application deadlines. Application deadlines are:

March 31: Annual Scholarships

Howard Rock Foundation Scholarships

March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 1: Quarter Grants

TCF Vocational Training and Career Upgrade Grants; General Fellowships;

Cultural Enrichment Fellowships; Vocational Grant Programs of Kenai Natives Association, Ninilchik Native Association and Tyonek Native Corporation; and Internships

June 1: Annual Scholarships

TCF Special Excellence, Excellence and Achievement Scholarships, Salamatof Native Association Scholarships, Cap Lathrop Scholarship, and the TCF George Miller Jr. Management Fellowship

June 1: Semester Scholarships

TCF General Scholarships and semester

scholarships for Kenai Natives Association, Ninilchik Native Association and Tyonek Native Corporation

For applications and guidelines, contact The CIRI Foundation, 2600 Cordova Street, Suite 206, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, or call (907) 263-5582 in Anchorage and toll-free at (800) 764-3382.