Giving To A Good Cause

Last week I rode my bike 400 miles. The same distance from my mom's house to Disneyland. When I was a kid, that trip took us "forever," or so it seemed. In 12 weeks I will begin an adventure that will require me to ride 1500 miles in about 8 days. Yes, I am pretty much overwhelmed at the idea of it all. But, I am willing to click off the miles in preparation for it.

Why? The opportunity to draw attention to the cause of organ donation awareness is ripe. My desire is for the cause to bask in the attention it may draw as TDL competes in RAAM. The added bonus for me is that I am lucky as heck to manage the organization, spending most of my waking hours to promote the cause.

Here is the embarrassing part - I don't give much money to the cause. Sure, I make a monthly pledge to TDL, which is in reality a pittance. It's easy to mask my passion for the cause by giving my time, knowledge and energy.

Like it or not, I know of no noble cause or grand mission that is sustained by passion alone. It takes money. Sure, I appreciate the example set by Gates, Bono, Branson, Lance, etal. Every day I talk with individuals and corporations about giving to the cause.

Hey Kent, perhaps it's time to put your money where your mouth is! Darn, my mouth is plenty big. Must mean greater amounts of money. Sure, I have every excuse in the book about why I don't give more. The most lame excuse? "I can't afford it." Laughable. I have NO problem affording Starbucks, CD's, cyling gear, Pellegrino Water, Chipotle or a trip to the Eddie Bauer Outlet.

I have opened my heart and my time. It's time to open my wallet. I gotta get outta here and head for Starbu...never mind.