As of this blog entry, I have raised $53,551.55 on the Mansion 5K run coming up on August 30. My personal goal is $55,000.00, so I am almost there. No doubt over the weekend, I will surpass my goal as the emails and phone calls keep coming in, as well as donations and pledges that are being made online.

I am happy to announce that my latest sponsorship came from Kevin Cox, our TCMM Chairman, with a donation of $555.55. He emailed me a few days ago and said he was definitely going to sponsor me but remained undecided as to the amount. He mused that it would be $55.55, $555.55, or $5,555.55. My reply to him was that I could help him with that decision and that he didn't even need to pray about it. I appreciate Bro. Cox and the tremendous leadership that he provides to our Board of Directors. He's a great friend and encourager. His support means so very much.

Our Chairman's sponsorship will provide the "seed money" to bring in the $5,555.55. We have nearly 100 men and women who serve on the TCMM, TCM, and TCA boards, and I have challenged them all to sponsor me for $55.00 or more. Their backing in this effort has been outstanding.

If you haven't sponsored me and would like to be the one to put me over the top, go to http://www.mansionevents.org/stephenjudd and make a pledge or an on-line donation.


OUTSTANDING MEDIA COVERAGE

Burton Gaar and I were interviewed by WTVA last week for a 30-minute program that aired on Saturday evening. The video is now in our media player at http://www.tcmm.org as well as http://www.mansionevents.org/stephenjudd

To watch Part 1 of the interview, click on the link below. You can watch Part 2 by going to the Events tab.

    http://www.tcmm.org/mediaplayer/playeropener.asp?id=1248&cid=129

WCBI TV came to the campus today and interviewed me regarding the upcoming Homecoming. Here is the link to the news story that aired at 5:00 p.m. this evening. The news anchor didn’t get all of her facts right, but the exposure was wonderful.   

    http://titancast.titantv.com/p/wcbi/v/Tupelo-Childrens-Mansion-Celebrates-55-Years-81508/00010AMO.aspx

There is also an article that was posted by the reporter...

    http://www.wcbi.com/article.php?subaction=showfull&id=1218836298&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2,10&

Burton informed me today that the Daily Journal is doing a story next week. We also have several ads on the new digital billboards in town - one is located at Crosstown and the other at Barnes Crossing and North Gloster. These prime locations and effective ads are giving us some wonderful exposure.

I've got to go to bed because I'm getting up early in the morning to run the 5K route before it gets too hot. Ken Burton, our Vice President, is going to join me in this practice run. I hope he makes it! (LOL)  Seriously, I hope I can make it. This route has some pretty good hills, especially in the final mile.

We're going to take some pepper spray with us in case we meet up with some unfriendly dogs that happen to be on the loose. If we encounter a problem, we may have to ask the neighbors to keep their dogs leashed up on race day.

Have a blessed weekend!