Special honor at the Chukars Game

   This has been a great week for me. I have been working on the Bikers for Boobs fundraiser for next weekend, and it’s all starting to come together. I’ve gotten a lot of support for this, and I think we should have a good turnout.

   I was at the coffee shop on Tuesday putting together a list of the sponsors and their donations when I received a call from Paul with the Chukars. “Tonight is Breast Cancer Awareness night and we were wondering if you would like to come down and say a few words about your Foundation before the game,” he asked me. “I would be honored to,” I replied, trying to hide my surprise and nervousness. He asked me to be there around 6:30 and told me he would leave some tickets at the front gate for me. I thanked him and told him I would see him then. I drove home thinking what an honor this was going to be.

   I started thinking about what I wanted to say and wondering how long they wanted me to talk. I decided I would put together something about 2 ½ to 3 minutes thinking that would give me enough time to thank Kevin Green and the Chukars staff, explain the goal of the Foundation, and give a couple of the life lessons I’ve learned through my experience.

   I know Paul told me to be there at 6:30, but I arrived at 6:00. For one thing, I wanted to make sure I got a good parking spot, but mainly because I run on the Max Wilker time schedule. You know, “If you’re 15 minutes early, you’re fifteen minutes late!” I did get a good parking spot and picked up my ticket for the game.

   I found Paul and thanked him for the opportunity to say a few words. He thanked me for helping them out and told me to meet up with Kevin at the gate leading onto the field at 6:50. Then he handed me 2 five-dollar Chukars Bucks to get some food.

   I found my seat and started talking to my good friend Sam who is an usher. I told him Paul had asked me to say a few words, and he was very happy for me. “I think it’s great what you’re doing with your Foundation,” he told me. I told him I was a little nervous, but I was glad to be able to let people know about the Foundations.

   At 6:40, Kevin went onto the field and told the crowd they were honored to have a breast cancer awareness night and invited anyone who was a survivor to meet him down by the gate at 6:50. I made my way over to the meeting spot and walked over to say hello to Kevin. When Kevin saw me, I could tell he wasn’t aware I had been asked to be there. He shook my hand and said “Hey, good to see you.” Then he asked, “Did you want to say a few words?” “Well, I wanted to thank you guys for your support if I could” I replied. “What were you thinking, about thirty seconds?” he asked. “That would be great” I replied. I could tell Kevin wanted to have all the breast cancer survivors say a few words which I thought was fantastic.

   As we walked onto the field, I knew exactly the main things I wanted the crowd to hear. I thanked Kevin and the entire Chukars staff for their support for the Foundation and the community. I told them the Foundation’s goal was to keep Shannon’s memory alive, and how all the funds go directly to local cancer patients. Then I told them the most important life lesson I have learned is “Life is Short!” Enjoy every minute of it and tell the people in your life how much they mean to you. I thanked Kevin again, and handed him the microphone.

   It was so emotional and inspiring to listen to the survivors speak. It was one of the most heartfelt moments I have had for a long time. I am so grateful I was able to participate in it. I know is was a special night for my Angel Shannon as well. I will always LOVE AND MISS YOU sweetheart.

Next week: New Foundation opportunity

 

P.S. So let’s recap: Free ticket, free food, captive audience. Best game night ever!