Against The Grain

We had a great time off for Christmas and are finally getting back into a routine.  We held both tutoring programs last week and after a 3 week break from tutoring had 75 kids between the two nights.  We had a volunteer training session on Saturday, January 6th and had 43 people show up. 
There were some incredible doors opened up in 2006 and 2007 looks to be even greater.  One quick story, The Nashville Predators gave us tickets to take some kids to a game last week between Nashville and the Anahiem Ducks.  After regulation play the score was tied at 4.  The announcer began to explain what happens in the overtime process.  "We will play a 5 minute, 5 on 5, sudden death overtime.  At the end of the overtime period, if no one has scored we will enter into a shootout."  The boys jumped up out of their seats and said "You mean they got guns in here?"  I was laughing so hard I could not explain to them what a shootout in hockey was.  Although this was funny, it showed me the importance of what we do.  The moms and kids have a reality that I never knew and they deal with things that I only saw in movies.  Remember them and lift them up.  We appreciate you all.  Look for some great things to happen in 2007.

As of Midnight on December 31st we have recieved pledges and gifts of $87,700 that will be matched by the New Day Focus Foundation.  We plan on closing the books a week from today to allow for gifts that are postmarked 2006 to be added to the matching grant.  Thanks to all that were involved in helping with this grant.  We look forward to using these funds in 2007 to transform lives and provide an option for hope.