Winning and Gratitude

As Vince Lombardi said, "Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything."  This past week, Sanne Specht and I engaged in a contest of wills to raise money for HOPE (Helping Out People Every Day) Chest.  HOPE Chest is United Way of Jackson County's emergency response fund.  The contest rocked!  HOPE Chest has money and we began writing checks from proceeds of the contest on Tuesday.  Pledges and donations poured in and together we raised almost $7,000!  We're not done even though our contest was a week.  People who didn't make it in or remember to pledge, you still can.  And those of you who stepped up, thank you!  For each of you who gave, inspired others, got excited and had fun and especially for Sanne, here's a closing quote.  "Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."  Gladys Brown Stern.  Scream from the rooftops, we all won!