Coordinating a summer camp for children with special needs, such as Camp Sanguinity, is an enormous task. Donations have to be obtained to run the operation. Volunteers must be found and trained to run the camp. Activities have to be designed and planned to fit into a schedule that will meet the needs of children who might tire easily. Entertainers must be hired, meals planned, craft supplies must be procured, and operations must be in place for the possibility of medical emergency. I’m sure I haven’t covered half of it.
For months ahead of schedule, there are continuous meetings with staff, volunteers and the board of directors to make sure everything runs smoothly. I understand all of those things.
I also know that The Good Medicine Project was, in the scheme of things, a very small part of that planning. As momentous as it seemed to me (and to some of you), this sharing of love and encouragement from around the world was not a major part of the plan.
My disappointing news is that The Good Medicine Project seems to have “fallen through the cracks.” Last year, with the Share A Square program, I was able to show you pictures of the delivery of the afghans. I was able to give you visual proof that your hard work was appreciated — that the children were thrilled to receive their gifts of love from you. I won’t get to do that this year.
For weeks, I tried in vain to reach my contact person at Camp Sanguinity. I had three crucial bits of information that I needed:
- I had to know the ages and genders of the children signed up for the camp, so that I could choose appropriate medicine bags and charms for them. Face it — a bag that might be wonderful for a five year old boy might not be considered “cool” by a thirteen year old.
- I needed to know when we might be able to deliver them, so I could plan our vacation week around it.
- I had offered my storytelling services as a program for the children during the delivery (a program that any other group would pay $600 to have me perform). I needed to know how many programs they wanted, and the ages of the children I would see so I could plan stories that would entertain and inspire them.
My contact person was always unavailable, I always got a promise that she would call back, but she never did. On the 30th of June, I finally received an e-mail with the breakdown of the children’s ages and genders. With it was a promise that I would receive an e-mail “tomorrow” with the time for delivery. “Tomorrow” never came.
Last Friday, July 3rd, I called to reach my contact but she was “unavailable.” The week-long camp starts on July 5th, and I still didn’t know when they would allow me to deliver the medicine bags. With the holiday weekend approaching, and the possibility that all the contact people would be out of the office for a week, I had no choice.
I took the 140 medicine bags, filled with lucky charms, to Cook Children’s Medical Center and delivered them to the director of the program. She was apologetic, explaining that she had “dropped the ball.” I did not argue with her on that point.
I gave her the medicine bags with instructions on how they were divided, and extracted from her the promise of a picture, so I could prove to you that your work was delivered. I asked her to write a note to acknowledge your hard work. To date, none of the directors of the camp have contacted me to tell me how much they appreciate the work you have done, although the children last year all wrote thank you notes. In the end, they are the only ones who matter.
We’ll wait to see if she follows through with her promise. The medicine bags should be delivered to the children by their camp counselors this week.
Meanwhile, let me tell all of the volunteers for The Good Medicine Project and for Share A Square that you rock! In the last two years, more than 500 people from around the country and the world have donated their time and talents to the children at Camp Sanguinity. A conservative estimate of the amount of volunteer hours put into this would exceed 10,000 hours.
You “done good,” as my Daddy used to say.
For those of you who are asking what I’ve got planned for Camp Sanguinity for next year, I have to say –– not a thing. I’d love to support the children, but I won’t go through this frustration again. I’ve toyed with the idea of finding another camp to benefit from our efforts, but this year’s disappointment has taken the starch out of me for awhile. Let’s just wait and see what mischief I might plan next.
I have a handful of thank you notes left to write. In my craft room, there are a few extra medicine bags and still some extra afghans. Although I had intended to donate them to Cooks Children’s Medical Center for the kids who didn’t get to go to camp, I’m looking for another hospital who might benefit from them. As for now, the chapter is closed on this particular book.
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{ 21 comments }
A child somewhere will benefit from all your and our work. Sorry the adults in charge seem not so concerned about it.
Let us know when you think of a new worthy cause we can work on! In the meantime, I’ll finish my HAP afghans and Socks for Soldiers and hats for Mom.
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..Secret Pal 14 Questionnaire =-.
I just don’t think she realized that the delivery was an important part of the process. You keep working on HAP and I will join back again before the summer is out. However, I won’t be making socks & hats—you wouldn’t want to see them, and NO one would want to wear them
I’m sure they will bring a smile to the children’s face, despite the appallingly bad manners of the so-called “responsible” adults in charge.
I’m sorry they rained on the parade Shelly, but don’t let that detract from the incredible thing you’ve done here.
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Summer Stock Sunday – Happiness is a Spongebob ice cream =-.
Robin, what I’d really like to have recognized is the incredible work that hundreds of volunteers have done. I’m not sure it was about “manners,” I think she just has a lot on her plate.
I agree. What you’ve done is incredible and I have no doubt that the children will appreciate the thought and the gifts. What is up with the people running that place, though? Are these the same people you dealt with last year?
Don’t let it get you down. You’ve done good, my friend!!!
.-= Jessica The Rock Chick´s last blog ..Carnival Games (Summer Stock Sunday) =-.
I appreciate the kudos, girlfriend, but I just want someone from Camp Sanguinity to know how hard all the volunteers have been working these last two years.
I had an idea—y’all are the ones that made it happen.
Having been where you are, I know the feeling. I know that kicked-in-the-gut-and-then-stepped-on feeling all too well.
This wasn’t particularly smart on the part of the people at the camp. In fact, it was downright dumb. Hopefully they’ll learn from this mistake. Taking care of kids is only PART of their job.
.-= Susan Helene Gottfried´s last blog ..Susan’s Promo Talk: A Thursday Thirteen =-.
Susan, I’m feeling kicked in the gut, indeed. It’s a let down after we all worked so hard. They made a mistake, but that’s all it was. I think they take pretty excellent care of their campers (as evidenced by the smiles on faces!), but they just didn’t realize the hours that have gone into the project. I don’t think the directors crochet or knit
If they did, I don’t see how they could ignore this.
I worked for a mentoring program until last year. I finally had to quit because the people in charge were so god awful.
I know the children loved what was done for them, as usual adults are the problem.
.-= Dianne´s last blog ..Pet Pride: My Person is So Needy =-.
Dealing with bureacracy is the pits, Diane, but again I think that the adults care—they just didn’t think this project was “all that.”
Remembering the smiles and hugs from last year, I know those kids will be smiling again when they get those medicine bags this week. Unfortuantly, those adults “in charge” seem to have forgotten about the those precious smiles. Sad.
Your daddy was right, you did good. Never forget that. You have a heart as big as Texas!
I was wondering when camp was happening, I have been a bit out of pocket….I have had two surgeries in the last 3 weeks, with 13 days in the hospital. It’s been a rough summer so far!
.-= YellowRose´s last blog ..Photo Hunt – Pink =-.
Girl, I keep telling y’all that WE did good. I saw that you were having a surgery, and I hope you are doing better … I’ve been remiss and just reading, not commenting. I hope you’ll forgive me! Get better!
Well… err… I’m sorry. I can’t think of anything to say that doesn’t involve a few choice words Thornestyle, and I don’t think you would appreciate them even in comments. I guess all I can say is: Shame on her!!! Love ya!
.-= Thorne´s last blog ..Desert Dandy Lion =-.
No, sweet friend, I don’t want you spewing any vitriol. I didn’t write this post with anger, just with sadness. I wrote it because y’all deserve to know how the program ended.
Let me say this again:
nofewer complaints.The children will be thrilled to get the medicine bags, I have no doubt. We did this program to serve the kids. However, I wanted to be able to show you their excitement, because you deserve to get to experience that vicariously—but I’ll get over that. I just won’t do a project like this for this particular organization again.
I won’t ask volunteers to offer services to an organization that doesn’t recognize their volunteers. Nobody who contributed did it for the recognition (in fact, some wanted to remain anonymous). But, any organization that has this many willing volunteers should work at saying “thank you” at any opportunity.
I’m not going to beat them up over it anymore. I’m just going to wish them well. I hope they keep on doing their good works. We will keep on doing ours.
I am so sorry this project did not have the appropriate ending of appreciation for all of us. Shelly, you did a marvelous job of inspiring us to keep the project alive. I enjoyed trying to be creative in contributing to the project. We all did a wonderful job and it was fulfilling to participate in this. I am sad that they seem to have deemed this project trivial. The bottom line is “what is good for the child”. We know how good we felt doing the project.
Thank you Shelly for being our fearless leader in all this. Here’s a HUGE ((((((((HUG)))))))) for you.
.-= Carol G.´s last blog ..MANIC MONDAY on Saturday =-.
You were the catalyst for a wonderful project that attracted people from all over the world to do something wonderful for children. Unfortunately, the “adults” in charge didn’t fulfill their duties, but that shouldn’t stop next year or your next great idea.
Maybe if you phrased it as “people who read have money too”. If they considered the numbers of people who pass through here who become aware of Sanguinity because of you, their efforts at simple courtesy would improve.
I really appreciate all of your work. Thank You! I really had fun participating.
I am sure the children will be delighted with the medicine bags. They will know how much love went into each gift.
“You done good”…just like your daddy use to say.
Sheila
.-= Sheila Atwood´s last blog ..Jumpstart Your Online Business With Private Label Rights =-.
Shelly, you have been an inspiration to me and all crafters worldwide for all your hard work. You “rock” !
)
You have inspired me to keep the “tote” a continuous giving. Gals and gents can keep those creative juices and fingers moving!
I hope that I can reach out to others as you have to us!
This weekend I am kicking off yet another collection. I loved doing those “medicine bags” so much that I have made it a full-time crafting project for myself and hopefully a new beginning for many other crafters online and in my own backyard. What a great way to start a meet up for crafters to gather together.
I work with my contacts at 2 of the first recipient places on a regular basis. I can only hope that the delivery process will be a much happier moment! God Bless you! And yes, there is always another place that would appreciate and love to receive such lovely gifts you work so hard to organize, prepare, and put your love into every stitch!
Just say the word..we will be here for you again for the next project!
Dana
Oh my! I so wish I had known this much sooner, because I also dropped the ball this summer. I am a Cancer Mom of a Cancer Fighter and his younger brother that attended Camp Sanguinity this past summer. I cannot even describe how heartbroken I am that the “adults in charge” dropped the ball. I can personally tell you how important it was for my sons to receive their beautiful afghans last year at camp. They still sleep with them on their beds. I explained where they came from and how they were made and we kept the tags in a special bag to put with their memory stuff. I wish I had taken a picture of my boys with their medicine bags this year….because let me tell you they were so excited to come home and tell me all about them and they talked on and on about how each charm came from a different place and how special the people were that did this project. I dropped the bag because I didn’t follow up on your blog to see when the delivery was going to be made. I as a parent would have harrassed everyone at that hospital until you got the info you needed. Although I appreciate the coordinators and medical personal that help make this camp happen for our cancer kids, I strongly believe you never drop the ball in regards to a volunteer. All though the medical treatment has put my son in remission from Leukemia and helps to keep him healthy until his chemo treatment is complete in 2011, its the people who have given from their heart that has helped him fight cancer emotionally and mentally. Prayers, Smiles, Hugs, little things made by hand and from the heart have been what has helped fuel the fighter in my 12 year old son. Sometimes I think that the people that are “in charge” of the medical programs and camps forget about those things. When someone walks in excited to give a gift to a child…whether its a hug, prayer, story, song or hand made gift…that excitement is lit in those children…I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT! I have watched it for the last 2 years of my sons life. Although I cannot apologize for those in charge at Cook’s, I would like to apologize from my heart for the treatment you received. Cook’s does NOT know what they have lost! Please know that what you did for these children, did not go unnoticed by those that you gave to. We Love all of you for all your hard work and your big hearts. I pray that your next project goes much better. We wish you a blessed holiday season!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Ann Marie! It is very heartwarming to know that our gifts are loved as much as we love to give them…I have no doubts of the appreciation the families have…just seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids is enough. I am sure the gift giving will continue cause we don’t let the politics get to us too much…
Have a blessed holiday season..and God Bless your son!
Hugs
Dana
Ann Marie, I appreciate you popping by to tell us how important those gifts were. I knew it, of course. I guess what bothered me is that Cook’s staff and board didn’t acknowledge all of the volunteers who made this happen. But, then, they weren’t the ones who were seeing these gifts arrive in the mailbox. Perhaps I didn’t do a good enough job of beating them over the head with the importance of it!
All of the volunteers who worked for Share A Square and the Medicine Bag Project will be delighted to read your response.
I’m wishing you, your boys, and your family all the blessings of the season … and more. You are in the hearts of many people.
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