Hay there everyone.

As you all know, it's been a really tough year in the world of STEEM, and for crypto in general. We have seen the prices of most coins, including STEEM and SBD tumble from the boom times this time last year, and who knows when things will pick up again, or if they will. This has meant that the #hayrunners fundraiser, which has been so well supported so far by so many people, is in danger of falling way short of our target of $2000 to sponsor fuel for a truck load of donated hay on the next Burrumbuttock Hay Runners hay run into the remote region of Quilpie, in one of the most severely drought-affected areas in the deep outback of Australia.

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So far through your generous support of upvotes, donations, and purchasing raffle tickets, the #hayrunners fundraising kitty has 886 STEEM, and 445 SBD. That's really, really, really fantastic. The only problem is the price of STEEM and SBD has gone down so low that even with all those tokens in the pot, it only amounts to a little over $500 at today's prices. We have a huge hill still to climb to get enough STEEM together to sponsor a truck, and a little over a month before the hay run takes place, on 26 January 2019.

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Truth be told, I'm pretty bummed....Not by the lack of support, because it has been there, and has been fantastic. I'm owed nothing, and don't expect to be able to demand support. Nobody should. I appreciate everything that everyone has done up to this point in getting us up to $500. That in itself is amazing!! I'm just bummed that I haven't been able do more myself to get the funds up to where they need to be. But I haven't given up yet!!

So, here is where we stand right now: I'm waiting to hear back from the Hay Runners on when the deadline is to get the funds together to sponsor a truck. If we manage to get a whole bunch of STEEM together by then, or if the Crypto markets all of a sudden take off and we have enough STEEM to cover it, then we will be able to sponsor a truck. If not (but I really hope we do!), we will find a way to help the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners with the funds we have collected. It's better to at least do something positive to help a community in need, than to sit on the funds and wait for the next run. For some people out there in need, that may be too late.

There is still time to help

We're still in with a hope of gathering the needed funds, and if we make it in time, that will be one heck of an achievement! All it takes is for everyone who sees this post to donate just a couple of STEEM or SBD, or whatever you can afford. Don't send anything to me; send all donations directly to @teamaustralia. Every donation, no matter how small, is another step toward fueling up a truck load of hay for a farmer in need. You do't need to upvote this post, but a resteem would be a huge help to get the message out there that if we ll unite as one big community on STEEM, that we can still make a real difference to someone out in the world who needs help, regardless of how low the crypto market go. There is no downside to helping a worthy cause.

So this is my challenge to you:

Resteem this post, and once you do, check your wallet to see if you have a spare STEEM or two to give to a really great cause. Send whatever you can to @teamaustralia with "hayrunners donation" in the memo, and be part of something special.

Thanks again to eveyone who has helped keep the #hayrunners momentum going on the platform, and to all those who have donated, upvoted, resteemed, posted about, and supported the fundraiser in any way. Your help is truly appreciated!!

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This is a #hayrunners post

All liquid post rewards for posts I publish using the #hayrunners tag, including this one will be donated to the @teamaustralia #hayrunners fundraising drive.

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