K The Ken Bradbury Foundation

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Cass. Co. Volunteers

B’town Elks 20 Jan 2001

New President… I like new beginnings…(frosh boy in Journal Courier this morning) Bummy… (bring pix?) I hope Bush’s beginning is less messy.

I enjoy speaking to volunteers because you already agree with everything I’m about to say. I don’t have to convince anyone here of the need to give or the joy of giving. So…let my speech be simply a reminder.

Blessed to be raised by giving parents in a giving community. Dad: spanked: 10cent vs. 15cent coke. Fire: $500

Greatest leaders I’ve known, were servants: James Brim... Martin Burrus...mud, Dosh

There will be times this year or next when you’ll stop and doubt whether you really have the time to give so much of yourself… A few reminders of why you’re wrong.

Lots of bad advice out there now about “taking care of your inner child..” He’s spoiled..take him out, spank him and tell him to quit whining.

  1. Giving Centers us on what’s important... Hiney the Mule …. We don’t have to please everyone.. just make ourselves available to serve everyone. Anxieties...look in your purse... Most of what we worry about isn’t. Jim Kern: Mrs. Brown …. Must worry about who we are, rather than how we appear. We need to be reminded of who we are….Chilocothe Schools Roger Ebert

  2. God blesses giving and the giver..... Athletic Boosters...meals … lost the communion that comes with service

I know a church in Missouiri...huge endowment...spirit of church stopped once they stopped struggling and giving

NHS..used to party...now, service

  1. Giving makes our load lighter..... New Salem actors… Bob Large.. hard days.. “Is this fun or what?” He says, “I spend my day making money. I work even harder at night because I’m giving it away. And I love it!” Most giving lady I know..Mae Beets..spent her life with the sick, helping. Died: Funeral Music … she gave to us even after her death. Matt.. baritone… Project designed to teach them the joy of giving.

FINALLY…. Giving heals us... Becky E...funerals James Dobson Albert Sweitzer

And finally, I’ll end where I began...if I had the opportunity to add one course to all schools....Giving... New School Improvement Plan...Milions of dollars, much time, effort... ....all the new things we must do to improve our schools... Tons of paper...not one mention of MORALITY. Not one mention of KINDNESS TO OTHERS Not one mention of WHY WE MUST GIVE... Since our schools won’t teach it, you must. I’m here tonight because I grew up watching my mother and father leave the house night after night to serve on committees, to host dinners, to give of themselves.

People are watching you.

The next time you question whether you have enough time to give, consider the fact that you are being watched, whether you like it or not. And someone’s future giving is being determined by your willingness today. Someone knows you’re here tonight… and they know why.

Please keep giving. The speeches surrounding the innaugeration held so many promises about what the government can do for us. There’s nothing our legislators can do that can compare to what we can do for each other.

I’m going to push the speed limit in a moment to get to J’ville to play for a fund raiser. Petersburg couple, lost their house on Christmas day. They will remember the kindness of their friends tonight long after they’ve forgotten their insurance check.

And...don’t worry if you don’t receive much reward... Conway Twitty