Last night former President Barack Obama was awarded the Profiles in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library. He used the honor to note that all Americans have an opportunity and a duty to make the world a better place. He spoke about how we can’t wait for someone else to step in and take care of our challenges, but that each of us individually and collectively have the power and obligation to create a more compassionate and healthy existence for all. He said, “We lose sight sometimes of our own obligations, each of ours, all the quiet acts of courage that unfold around us every single day; ordinary Americans who give something of themselves not for personal gain but for the enduring benefit of another. ”

Perhaps when he spoke about “ordinary Americans who give something of themselves” he was imagining not just adults but children leading by example. If so, then I think six year old Rowan and his buddy Sam would be exactly the kind of kids being described. Enjoy this note from Rowan’s mom, Y in Arnold (Greater Annapolis) Associate Christine Hickey:

Hi All,

Yesterday my 6 year old son Rowan and his buddy Sam wanted to set up a fruit punch stand in our neighborhood after school.  They decided it was a good idea to do something positive and wanted to use their stand to raise money so that a kid like them with limited opportunities could go to camp this summer.  After about an hour of aggressively flagging down cars, bikers and walkers, they raised over $25, which they are very excited to donate to Send a Kid to Camp.  Pictures of the stellar salesmen and their marketing signage are attached.

A little inspiring news on a rainy Friday!

Have a great weekend.

We are 38% to our Send a Kid to Camp goal and have just 21 days to complete the campaign and help as many kids as possible have a safe, fun and productive summer bathed in the knowledge that they are cared for and loved. This is one very important and immediate opportunity for us as a team to step outside ourselves and mirror the same confident sense of optimism and belief in human kind that Rowan and Sam showed “to give something for the enduring benefit of others.”

Thank you Rowan and Sam and thank you all for all you have done, and will do, to help make the Send a Kid to Camp campaign our most successful and compassionate yet!

All the best,

John

John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland