Energy in the Air - The Journey Continues.

Energy in the Air

Day 9. We started the day where we left off the previous day, Princeton, NJ. The highlight of the day was definitely our visit at Hackensack's Tomorrow's Children's Hospital in New Jersey. Where we also met our teammate Roy's boss. Roy's company, DCH Auto Groups, generously matched their employees' donations to Camp Sunshine of $5000. Bring the total donations from DCH Auto Groups and their employees to $10,000.

A group of Lions Club members from Bronx, NY also took a trip down to greet us. Many of these Lions Club members have been volunteers at Camp Sunshine for the past 12 years. Looking at their pictures and hearing their stories from past Camp Sunshine visits was truly heart warming.

Having one third of the Miracle Marathon team from New Jersey, it was a big deal for the local TV stations. Couple of them came out to talk to us. But of course the main purpose of the hospital visit was to meet the children and their families. We handed out get well cards and toy animals to many children. While the New Jersey members were busy being interviewed by the stations, the rest of us were busy handing out cards and toys. I handed a toy duck and a cookie to this one little girl. With a bright smile on her face she gently placed her little hands around my shoulders and gave me a hug. And then I thought she wanted to tell me something. She brought tears to my eyes when she simply wanted to put her cheek on mine and said thank you. Sometimes the greatest gifts in life are those came unexpectedly. Like the hug from this little angel. This little angel girl gave up her toy duck when she saw another hospital buddy of hers, who is confined in a wheelchair. As young as she might be, she already understood the joy of sharing. I ran back to the RV to get her another toy frog. Then her mom told me she would love the frog even better since her favorite color was green.

Funny how we get rewarded in life when we scarifice a little. What I witnessed on this day was a fine example. After the hospital visit, the Bronx Lions Club took us out for a delicious seafood dinner. We listened closely for more stories from their volunteering experience at Camp Sunshine. Which only left me with one wish: to be at Camp Sunshine right then. But 450 miles still separated us.

We couldn't find a hotel that would donate rooms that night. Fortunately one

Go To Page: 1 2 3