What I Believe........


I believe that auctions to benefit non-profit organizations are a good thing.
They certainly are not limited to pumpkin seeds.

I believe that if you or I donated pumpkin seeds to one of the many public
television auctions (or any of the thousands of non-profit auctions), that
they would be bid on.

I believe we are in a somewhat unique hobby where seeds are shared more
frequently than other hobbies share their things. We should feel absolutely
great about ourselves on this point.

I believe pumpkin growers are among the best people I have met. Perhaps that
is why they respond so generously to an auction to a good cause.

I know that people who collect stamps or baseball cards trade and share them,
but there are many who also sell them. And they are auctioned too! The world
is big enough for baseball cards to be shared, sold, and auctioned. Ditto
with pumpkin seeds.

I believe that people who hold auctions spend a lot of their time on it for a
good cause that benefits others. They don't get paid, many donate money as
well as time. They are the volunteers of the world who are trying to make
things a little better for their group or the world. There are too few of
them out there.

I believe that a charity auction where 100% of the proceeds go to charity,
the bidders are equally interested in a charity donation and to help a good
cause. Frankly, I do not beleive any seed is worth what people are bidding,
so what other reason is ther for the high bids?

I firmly believe in free speech and free expression. But, we have a
responsibility not to discourage others from participating if they so choose.
 Bad press is bad press, warranted or otherwise.

On a personal note, I believe I am a little tired as the charity auction is
time consuming . Like you, my volunteer work is done between time for a wife,
three kids, a day job, and other volunteer work. But, this is not about me.  
WIth that said, the last statement is one of sheer frustration and a
sprinkling of discourage.

Finally, I believe if you want to respond to this note, that you should email
me privately at b12tmatth@eudoramail.com Why, because this is an email
address I no longer use and frankly I am too busy helping others to get
further discouraged.

Bob Matthews
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