Well, I spoke at the Rotary Meeting but it didn't go as well as I know most of you hoped. I have never, ever been a good public speaker and tonight was no exception. Please don't think that I didn't try b/c I did but I just ... it's just not something I can achieve it seems. I'll have to stick to the more manual parts of fundraising.

Even if I don't make it to the minimum on fundraising, the money that we have raised thus far and whatever we raise through the commitment date in August will still go to the same place and do the same work that we intended. My aunt Kim recently reminded me of one of my favorite quotes. She and I were discussing the fact that TNT Oklahoma raised $20K during the last two weeks of June alone. She said something that reminded me of Margaret Mead's quote, "Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Different context but the principle remains. When families affected by cancer are helped, when pain is lessened at least for while and someone's load, which has long since surpassed back-breaking, is just that much lighter, it is because of the work and the generosity of people like us, those that have donated here and other places, be it words of encouragement, support, time or monetary funds. It's what makes the difference at the end of the day. Occasionally you hear stories about a large corporation or a governmental body or something of that magnitude changing the every day lives of people, but the majority of the time, it's the small efforts of other every day people that add up to real alterations. If this taught me anything, it taught me that.