MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:

"Thank you so much for once again supporting my career and my band this last year, and making it possible for me and my family to donate again this Christmas season to the San Diego Children's Hospital and to the various homeless and church outreach programs for the poor and needy with over ten pallets of brand new toys.

I wanted to also thank Pam, Justis, Electra and her friend Lilly, Jeff Payne, Zach Coleman, and Owen Cooper for helping me distribute all of the 100-plus boxes of toys yesterday, and I have just one more stop to make for the children of the fallen soldiers at the base near my home. We are just waiting on a call back and we are off. I think that with everyone shipping out, that the base has higher priorities right now above letting a 6' tall red-headed elf delivery toys.

This goodwill and all around 'feel good' event doesn't change the fact that I have been facing and trying to improve my bad attitude, big mouth, brain full o' toxic thoughts, difficulty to talk to or work with, and just all around normal mean human attributes. I want to change and I always get a great lift from doing this with the toys. I know it is making me a better person because I don't have to wear the jacket with the long sleeves and the buckles anymore at my weekly head shrinker sessions.

I want to also say thanks to my dear friend Elaine Hinton and the good folks of the Hasbro Toy Company for helping make this come to fruition again this year. I also want to thank all of the people behind the scenes that will be working with these children this Christmas Season; all of the hospital, social services, church and missionary outreach personnel, and volunteers. You are so awesome!

So, while some still obsess on finding fault in me and try to point it out, nice try! I already know and am working on it. To those who enjoy hurting me, nice try! I hurt enough already and you can't increase or reinjure what has been or is being healed. But for those who believe in me, just know that I felt you with me all day yesterday, every step of the way (except on the really heavy stuff - it felt like you took a break when ever the boxes got heavy!)

As things continue to get better and better for me, and we look at how the problems of the past have all melted away, I can't help but be amazed. I am friends with the PANTERA boys again, we are touring with the SLAYER boys and Kerry and I are becoming friends again (I am happy about this one), and with the announcement of the Big Four, it should be clear to everyone now that the feud is over (and has been for years).

I STILL have more good news to tell you as soon as I get a green light. Can you believe that?

I hope you all have a great day and a great weekend, and I just want to thank you for your support and tell you how much I love you."