Julie contacted me with an idea about a fundraiser. I have to admit, when she wrote the note to me, I loved the idea but was unsure how it was all supposed to work.
She and Rod run Sizzlin’ S Outfitters near Jordan, Montana and wanted to donate a 5-day Eastern Montana Mule Deer Hunt valued at nearly $5,000 for a Facebook auction. I had never seen anything like this done before. There would be 100 numbers and each number would cost $100. When it was all said and done, they would generate $10,000 to donate to the Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund. 100% of the relief fund is distributed to Nebraska cattle producers affected by the recent flooding.
As with anything else that’s new to me, I hesitated. But only briefly. As long as Julie could explain how it all would work and what my involvement would be, I didn’t see why it wouldn’t be possible. But 100 names at $100??? THAT seemed impossible.
Well, as we all know…with God NOTHING is impossible.
The auction began on Saturday, April 6. My job was to collect the money through the Nebraska Wheatie “Shop” and keep the numbers updated with names of purchasers on the original Facebook post.
Order notifications became something I looked forward to seeing in my email. Every time a number was purchased, I would receive a copy of the transaction. I would immediately go to the Facebook page and update a blank number with the name.
I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing! What seemed impossible (100 numbers at $100 each) began unfolding into something VERY possible.
And do you know why? Because people care! Because people want to help. I had contact with several of the purchasers via email. Each one of them said basically the same thing…they felt bad for the Nebraska ranchers who had experienced such loss and all they wanted to do was help.
The definition of help – the action of helping someone to do something; assistance.
Everyone stepped up to the plate with this fundraiser and it worked! The last number was purchased at noon on April 9. The auction lasted all of 2 1/2 days! WOW!
The lucky number was chosen last night. Lucky number 81!!! I was “rooting” for all of them because they are ALL winners in my eyes! Thank you to everyone who purchased numbers and made this possible. I know most would have liked to have won but knew this was one way they could help those who needed help.
Thank you, Rod and Julie, for allowing me to help YOU! For trusting that I could help you create something that would mean so much to so many. You’re THE BEST!
And…now an update on Jenna’s t-shirt fundraiser. We have sold 232 shirts. This is getting very close to a $2,000 donation to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Disaster Fund. Shirts are still very much for sale! They are $28 each and the price includes shipping. If you’re interested, be sure to go to the Nebraska Wheatie “Shop” and check them out!
With another very intense spring storm about to hit most of Nebraska, people’s nerves are a bit weary. I know we can and will survive but the help of the helpers is what’s going to get everyone through this. We are Nebraska, we are persistent, we are built to carry on and we will continue! We are Nebraska Strong!
