Big Leather Couch

Last Wednesday, I posted the following on my Facebook status, "Vinny Marini is sure he would not be bored if he hit the Powerball tonight."

Well, I did not win or else y'all would have heard about it.

The responses to that status were pretty similar, most saying something to the effect of "I would be there to help you"...etc etc...

A week or so ago, JAY of "Cynical Bas**ard" talked about Arkansas finally having scratch-off lottery tickets and plans to get involved in one of the multi-state lotteries that are held around the country (Powerball or Megamillions).

Only six states do not participate in one of those two lotteries - they are Nevada (surprising since they are the leader in gambling here in the US), Utah (well I guess Mormons do not gamble), Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.

If you look at the map, interestingly enough, the six states border each other in groups of three. Is this a coincidence? I don't know...

Do you participate in a 'national lottery'? I do buy a ticket for the two Powerball drawings (Wednesday & Saturday) each week and play two games. One game is a set of numbers that have meaning and the other game, I allow the computer to select via quick-pick.

Now, I have won some money here and there, in fact when I was in MA I won a couple of thousand. Now over the years, I am probably on the negative side of the ledger, but the thought of hitting a jackpot (which starts at $20-million after someone wins),keeps me coming back.

Now, if you do participate, do you have a plan for your winnings (and I am only talking about if you hit a big jackpot of $20-million or more)? Do you select the cash option or the annuity option. For those of you who do not play, with the annuity option you get the entire winning prize, but it is paid out over the course of 20 years or so. If you select the cash option, you end up with one lump sum payment, but you only get about 40% of the entire total.

For me, I take the cash option. I don't need the company/states earning the interest on the money, because I can do that.

I have thought about a plan if/when I do hit the big one. Of course family will be rewarded with mortgages paid off and a nice big family trip. I would also love to throw a big old party for my special friends.

But beyond that for the last 4 years or so, I have thought about a foundation I would love to start. The idea began formulating after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and Matt was involved in a drive to collect baseball equipment for Little Leagues that had lost everything.

Baseball gloves, bats, catcher's equipment and other basics of the game were put together and through the Little League offices in Williamsport, PA, the material was sent to those leagues that were devastated. The hope was that the kids could fins some sense in normality in a game they loved.

I have also read articles about other leagues in the mid-west who lost their fields to flooding and tornadoes...ESPN did a report months ago about a town that had lost it's fields and were in the midst of rebuilding when the financial crisis hit and their funding dried up. The fields partially built and the kids not having a place to play.

The show Extreme Home Makeover even went into Boynton Beach, FL to rebuild a baseball field after Hurricane Wilma destroyed it. So there is precedence for what I have planned, but never has it been the sole purpose of an organization.

The foundation I someday hope to start would address these tragedies. Yes, I know that if a baseball field is lost, most likely so is a soccer pitch or a football field. And the foundation would address those issues also, but because of my love for baseball, the main thrust would be to help rebuild baseball diamonds in areas affected by storms or those that have been neglected due to financial problems.

I have written down ideas as they have come to me, so if/when I have the financial ability I can hit the ground running. In fact, I already have a name for the foundation and the idea for a logo.

The name came to me immediately after the idea was sparked in my brain. It just seems so logical. My hope is, that by stating it here, I do not lose the name to someone else, but then again, if someone who has the financial ability to begin this foundation happens to read this (like THAT would ever happen), and decides to jump on this idea and even adopts the name, well then I guess my dream would come true - whether I was involved or not.

The foundation would be called the "Diamonds Out Of The Rough Foundation". There are days when I can feel - to the bottom of my core - that this idea will come to fruition someday...I don't see how without the winning of a lottery...I do not have any ultra-rich relatives who would be leaving me an inheritance, I do not have even enough financial stability to quit my job and go on a campaign to find backers to begin the foundation...so this dream lingers on in my mind.

Do you have a dream...one in which you have the ability to change your life and the lives of others?

Do you have ideas for me to help put "Diamonds Out Of The Rough" into existence? If you do, please share with me...remember this is not to find financial success for me...but to assist those in need...CHILDREN in need of a place to be outside and participating in team sports.

How is that for my first true post in almost a month?