Hi,

I am really not even sure how to begin this letter coming off such a crazy year.  Who would have guessed this time what the world was about to experience in 2020?  What a crazy time in history!   I mean I’m not taking toilet paper for granted ever again (but that doesn’t mean I am requesting any auction items made with tp J).  One of the things I don’t want to take for granted though is the help you have given the kids on our team by donating to our scholarship auction.

They say hindsight is 20/20 and what I feel I’ve learned and rediscovered is the way people always seem to come together to show kindness during the most difficult of times.  I feel encouraged by the thoughtfulness of others, just as I have been thrilled and grateful of the support you have given our team.

Having to ask for donations is not the best part of my job and it is even more humbling to do so when so many people and businesses are struggling.  So, I want to say upfront that if you can’t help with the auction this year, I totally understand.  The best description I’ve heard of the past year is, “We are all NOT in the same boat.  We are all in the same storm, but not in the same boat.  Some are frantically paddling canoes against the current, some are riding it out on yachts, others are rowing small boats with lots of passengers upstream and others are in sailboats with the wind in their sails and some with no wind at all and floating aimlessly.”  Whatever boat you find yourself in, I hope you have a joyful New Year and make it safely to your harbor.

If you are able to help our team’s scholarship auction again this year, we will be doing silent auctions each night of the rodeo plus will have items available online for folks to bid.  We will continue to promote your donation on our social media sites.  The rodeo is April 15 – 17 and it would be great to receive the items by the first week of April, so I’ll have time to organize and promote on social media.

Thank you again for your generosity and helping to make a difference in the lives of these kids,

Diane Luthi

University of Tennessee at Martin – Rodeo

1022 Elam Center

Martin, TN  38238