The Governor Gave Me His Shoes – A Camp POSTCARD Story

It was clear from the minute the bus arrived at Camp POSTCARD that Dan was going to have trouble adjusting.  He did not want to leave the bus and wanted to go home with the driver on her return trip.  This is not uncommon.  After all, for many of our campers, this week-long experience (that is run by Volunteers of America, The Maine Sheriffs’ Association and the Maine D.A.R.E. Officers Association) is their first time away from home.  In some cases, it is the first time they have been out of their county.  That was the case for Dan.  He had lived in one town all of his life.  As we found out later, his family does not own a car.  This is one major reason why camp has been so successful and valuable for the 1,500 campers that have attended.  They get a chance to get a fresh look at life and to meet young people from all across the State of Maine. 

In most cases, campers settle down and are off the bus in less than 15 minutes.  It was an hour and Dan was still on the bus.  Tom, a policeman from Auburn who has a wonderful way with children went on the bus to talk with Dan.  Within 15 minutes they both stepped out of the bus.  “Dan is very good at sports,” Tom said with a smile.  “He would like to join me and our cabin in a game of football.”  “I still want to go home,” Dan said.  “But I will give camp a try for three days like Tom has asked me to.”  This was a great moment for all of us.  If Dan could stay for three days, it would be a huge win for him and for his self esteem.  Tom had worked his magic again and Dan was down at the cabin getting changed to play football with the other boys. 

As Tom walked by, he mentioned that Dan had brought very little clothing to camp.  He also did not have any toiletry supplies.  Luckily, we provide each camper with a kit when they arrive that has all of the items they will need for the week such as soap, toothpaste, a tooth brush, shampoo and other basic items.  This is done on purpose to prevent campers like Dan from standing out and having to ask for items, or even worse, to go without. 

We also realized that Dan was wearing his brown school shoes while the boys were playing.  After the game, our camp director June asked Dan if he had any sneakers that he could wear.  He did not.  In talking with Dan’s sponsor, it was clear that Dan’s family struggled to make ends meet.  They worked hard and did what they could, but sneakers were a luxury they could not afford. 

That evening, several of the staff members got together and discussed Dan’s situation.  For many of us around the table, this was difficult to understand.  It makes you look at what you have in a different light.  “This young man deserves a great pair of sneakers,” June said.  “And I know just the place to get them.”  Within a minute, the staff had pulled together more than enough money out of their pockets to get Dan his new shoes.  “Well that does it,” June said tucking the money in her knapsack.  “Tonight, we will get those shoes.” 

The next day, Maine’s Governor John E. Baldacci joined us for lunch.  He spoke to the campers about how glad he was to be able to visit such a wonderful group of young people from Maine.  “You are our future,” he said.  “Work hard this week and learn as much as you can.  I also hope that you’ll make some great new friends – both campers and with the law enforcement and criminal justice professionals who are volunteering their time to be with you and to serve as camp staff.”

During lunch, June told Governor Baldacci about Dan and the new shoes they had purchased for him.  The Governor wanted to present the shoes to Dan.  After lunch, we cleared the cafeteria except for a few of the key staff.  Tom brought Dan in and introduced him to the Governor.  I don’t think it would have been possible to smile and wider as Dan shook Governor Baldacci’s hand with a firm and solid handshake.  “I hear you a very good at sports,” The Governor said.  “Yes sir, I sure try very hard,” Dan responded.  “I especially like football.” 

Dan had kept his promise and met his goal of staying three days.  After lunch, two of the staff members were going to drive him home in their police cruiser.  (That’s another favorite part of the camp experience for many of the campers who get to “run the siren” on their way to and from camp.)  But there was one more surprise for Dan before he left.  “Dan, I have something here for you,” Governor Baldacci said with a box of shoes carefully hidden behind his back.  “We are all very proud of what you have accomplished and here is something for you to take home with you.”  Dan smiled and tore open the box.  “New shoes…oh thank you, thank you!” Dan said in the loudest voice we had heard since he arrived. 

He tried on the shoes, gave us all a big hug and said thank you several dozen more times.  Clearly this meant a great deal to him.  You could see it in his eyes – and in ours as well.  That is what camp is all about.  It is an opportunity for us to share our gifts with others in ways that make us all better for the experience.  To tell the truth, many of us get as much, if not more, from the campers as they get from us. 

On the way home, Dan kept saying, “The Governor gave me his shoes!  The Governor gave me his shoes!”  He kept looking at his feet and the bright new shoes.  And then said it again and again.  We all had a good laugh and a few tears were shed when the drivers returned.  We had made a dream come true.  For Dan and for so many other youth who deserve nothing less.  We are so fortunate for the generosity of the many people and organizations like you that make our dream come true too.

Thank you!

Back to Camp POSTCARD Home Page
 

The Governor Gave Me His Shoes – A Camp POSTCARD Story

It was clear from the minute the bus arrived at Camp POSTCARD that Dan was going to have trouble adjusting.  He did not want to leave the bus and wanted to go home with the driver on her return trip.  This is not uncommon.  After all, for many of our campers, this week-long experience (that is run by Volunteers of America, The Maine Sheriffs’ Association and the Maine D.A.R.E. Officers Association) is their first time away from home.  In some cases, it is the first time they have been out of their county.  That was the case for Dan.  He had lived in one town all of his life.  As we found out later, his family does not own a car.  This is one major reason why camp has been so successful and valuable for the 1,500 campers that have attended.  They get a chance to get a fresh look at life and to meet young people from all across the State of Maine. 

In most cases, campers settle down and are off the bus in less than 15 minutes.  It was an hour and Dan was still on the bus.  Tom, a policeman from Auburn who has a wonderful way with children went on the bus to talk with Dan.  Within 15 minutes they both stepped out of the bus.  “Dan is very good at sports,” Tom said with a smile.  “He would like to join me and our cabin in a game of football.”  “I still want to go home,” Dan said.  “But I will give camp a try for three days like Tom has asked me to.”  This was a great moment for all of us.  If Dan could stay for three days, it would be a huge win for him and for his self esteem.  Tom had worked his magic again and Dan was down at the cabin getting changed to play football with the other boys. 

As Tom walked by, he mentioned that Dan had brought very little clothing to camp.  He also did not have any toiletry supplies.  Luckily, we provide each camper with a kit when they arrive that has all of the items they will need for the week such as soap, toothpaste, a tooth brush, shampoo and other basic items.  This is done on purpose to prevent campers like Dan from standing out and having to ask for items, or even worse, to go without. 

We also realized that Dan was wearing his brown school shoes while the boys were playing.  After the game, our camp director June asked Dan if he had any sneakers that he could wear.  He did not.  In talking with Dan’s sponsor, it was clear that Dan’s family struggled to make ends meet.  They worked hard and did what they could, but sneakers were a luxury they could not afford. 

That evening, several of the staff members got together and discussed Dan’s situation.  For many of us around the table, this was difficult to understand.  It makes you look at what you have in a different light.  “This young man deserves a great pair of sneakers,” June said.  “And I know just the place to get them.”  Within a minute, the staff had pulled together more than enough money out of their pockets to get Dan his new shoes.  “Well that does it,” June said tucking the money in her knapsack.  “Tonight, we will get those shoes.” 

The next day, Maine’s Governor John E. Baldacci joined us for lunch.  He spoke to the campers about how glad he was to be able to visit such a wonderful group of young people from Maine.  “You are our future,” he said.  “Work hard this week and learn as much as you can.  I also hope that you’ll make some great new friends – both campers and with the law enforcement and criminal justice professionals who are volunteering their time to be with you and to serve as camp staff.”

During lunch, June told Governor Baldacci about Dan and the new shoes they had purchased for him.  The Governor wanted to present the shoes to Dan.  After lunch, we cleared the cafeteria except for a few of the key staff.  Tom brought Dan in and introduced him to the Governor.  I don’t think it would have been possible to smile and wider as Dan shook Governor Baldacci’s hand with a firm and solid handshake.  “I hear you a very good at sports,” The Governor said.  “Yes sir, I sure try very hard,” Dan responded.  “I especially like football.” 

Dan had kept his promise and met his goal of staying three days.  After lunch, two of the staff members were going to drive him home in their police cruiser.  (That’s another favorite part of the camp experience for many of the campers who get to “run the siren” on their way to and from camp.)  But there was one more surprise for Dan before he left.  “Dan, I have something here for you,” Governor Baldacci said with a box of shoes carefully hidden behind his back.  “We are all very proud of what you have accomplished and here is something for you to take home with you.”  Dan smiled and tore open the box.  “New shoes…oh thank you, thank you!” Dan said in the loudest voice we had heard since he arrived. 

He tried on the shoes, gave us all a big hug and said thank you several dozen more times.  Clearly this meant a great deal to him.  You could see it in his eyes – and in ours as well.  That is what camp is all about.  It is an opportunity for us to share our gifts with others in ways that make us all better for the experience.  To tell the truth, many of us get as much, if not more, from the campers as they get from us. 

On the way home, Dan kept saying, “The Governor gave me his shoes!  The Governor gave me his shoes!”  He kept looking at his feet and the bright new shoes.  And then said it again and again.  We all had a good laugh and a few tears were shed when the drivers returned.  We had made a dream come true.  For Dan and for so many other youth who deserve nothing less.  We are so fortunate for the generosity of the many people and organizations like you that make our dream come true too.

Thank you!

Back to Camp POSTCARD Home Page