A Heart Warming Experience
Saturday, July 25th, 2009Dear Members,
On Wednesday, July 22nd, myself, Dot Hardy, Donna Onifer and Julie Gola spent the day working the carnival at Vision Hope’s Challengers for Life camp. As I am sure you all remember, this is a camp for foster children. Some of our previous fundraisers helped to sponsor several of these children and the grant Dot got from her employer helped to fund the birthday party that was given for all of the children.
I can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful day this was for the 4 of us! We arrived at the camp at around 10:30am. We were asked to watch a training video that would help us understand the trauma that some of these children have been through in their short lives. It was heartbreaking.
We were then taken on a tour of the camp. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any pictures. We were also taken on a tour of the “Sunshine Store”. This is a store that is set up by Vision Hope with all kinds of new and used clothing as well as some accessories. Each child is allowed to go in to the store and choose whatever they would like. A shoe store from Clinton Township was also coming on Thursday to fit each child with a new pair of shoes.
After the children ate lunch, the four of us worked the various carnival games that had been set up. These children were so sweet, so polite and so thankful to have the opportunity to be at the camp and to be a part of this day. It was so sad to see their sweet faces and know that they have endured so much pain already in their short lives. During these games, EVERYONE won a prize. In spite of some bad weather, we worked the carnival until about 5pm.
We left there wet and tired but so happy talking about the day. We will talk about it more at the meeting in August. I know the four of us plan on attending this camp again next year and we would LOVE to have any of you that are available to join us. It was one of the best “work vacation days” that I have ever taken.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Elaine
