Now a lot of you have already heard this story, because when it happened I was so excited I told everyone I could. So I appreciate your indulgence as I tell it one more time. A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a young lady in Leadore. She told me her name was Sarah Smith and her Mom was a cancer patient at Teton Cancer Institute a few years ago. She told me she had my number from some gas cards the Foundation had provided to them so her Mom could travel in for treatment. “I was just amazed that someone would do something like that for us,” she said. She told me her Mom had passed away but the treatment she was allowed to receive gave the family more time with her. Then she said, “The girls volleyball team just finished doing a fundraiser that raised $1,330 dollars, and we would love to donate it to your Foundation.” I admit, that brought tears to my eyes, and I was at a loss for words. I finally said “I am so sorry for your loss. I can tell your family had a great relationship with her and please tell them I will keep all of you in my prayers. She told me her Mom was an amazing person, and she was an example of strength for everyone. “I don’t know what to say about your generous donation other than I am honored and humbled that you would want to award it to me,” I told her. She told me she was positive that’s exactly where her Mom would want the money to go. Then she asked me, “We were wondering if you would mind driving out here sometime next week. The girls would like to present the check to you in person if they could.” I told her it would be a great honor and we arranged a date.
The day I arrived at the school, I met with some of the staff and the teachers. They were so polite and friendly. It was the feeling of a very close community that are always helping each other out. I met the volleyball team and some of the other students. I will tell you they are an amazing group of young men and women and it was such an honor to meet them. I thanked them for their generous donation and told them if they knew a family in their community that needed help, to let Sarah know and she would get me the information. Then I told them if they didn’t, I had already talked to Teton Cancer Institute and promised all the funds would go to patients from Leadore or Salmon that are traveling to Idaho Falls for treatment. “I’m a firm believer that the money raised in a community needs to help the people in that community.” I said.
Since I started the Foundation, I have had the opportunity and pleasure to experience some wonderful events. I must tell you this is one of my favorites. It was such a privilege and honor to meet such an outstanding group of young men and women. I have absolutely no doubt they will be terrific leaders for the future. Thanks for reading.
Next week: Dealer Conventions
P.S. Do you think I made the right decision not to tell them about “someone” who put an outhouse their high school when they was a senior? Yeah, me too.