By Sharon Peterson, Mission Resources Director at the Carls Family YMCA
I would like to tell you about my friend Bert. Bert is 87 years old.
I first met Bert when we opened our full facility, 13 years ago this May. He was a board member.
The first campaign I ever worked on, Bert was first in line to get pledge cards and ask his friends, neighbors, and business owners in our community to help support the campaign.
Although the campaign has taken on several different names, now known as the Annual Campaign, Bert’s passion and dedication has never changed. He knows that going to summer camp is a great thing for a child. When asked why he campaigns, he will say “I ask for the kids because they can’t ask for themselves. I am their voice.”
When Bert makes his ask for the Annual Campaign, he will tell you about the campaign and ask you how many children you would like to send to summer camp. If you tell him you will give him less than the cost of sending one child to camp, he will tell you that we cannot send a partial child to camp. “Do you know anyone who might be able to help make up the difference?” he will say. Ninety percent of the campaign pledges Bert turns in are for $160, which is the cost to send one child to camp.
Bert used to go out into our community while walking his dog, Yukon. Donors got to know Yukon. Yukon is no longer with Bert and it was quite a blow to him when he lost his longtime companion, however, Bert continues to campaign for kids to go to summer day camp while using a walker. Bert has had some health issues, but has not let that hinder his determination to send kids to camp. In February, March and April, you will see Bert on the streets in our community with his walker, making his annual ask for pledges from his donors.
You see, Bert went to camp when he was twelve years old on a scholarship. His family did not have the means to send him to camp. He had an awesome time, still remembers the great time he had and wants to make sure that the kids in our community have the same opportunity to go to camp and make memories that will last them a lifetime. Bert remembers hiking, swimming and canoeing best. He wants the kids in our community to have that same experience.
Camp provides that safe place where kids are surrounded by positive role models and learn lifelong skills that embrace our four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Camp provides them an opportunity to grow and thrive.
Bert is a true inspiration to me to be the voice for those who have no voice. I hope that he is an inspiration to you as well.