Hey everyone!

On February 28th, 2009, I will join many others in  their efforts to raise funds and awareness about a place that is near and dear to my heart, the Florida Lions Camp by participating in this year's FLC Walk A Thon.

Every summer hundreds of children and adults with varying abilities come to FLC to learn, play and grow together.  Because of their unique needs (medical or behavioral), our campers are often not accepted at other camps.  FLC is their haven for one week of the year.  They can participate in all the "typical" camp activities (swimming, canoeing, arts & crafts, etc.). They can meet new friends. They learn understanding and compassion for others with and without disabilities. They can be themselves. They are given the opportunity to show what they can do and forget what they cannot.

I could share hundreds of lessons FLC has taught me, but I would like to share just one big lesson that I have learned through my time here at FLC: gratefulness. Often times we as people complain about our troubles or struggles.  Whether it is money, wants, appearance, or any other aspects of our lives that trouble us, we always think we have it so bad or feel sorry for ourselves.  A long time ago FLC taught me to treasure what I do have in this live instead of always spending all my time on what I do not. 

The campers of FLC have taught me to be happy with my life.  I don't make a lot of money, I am by no means Brad Pitt and there are certainly things in life I wish I had or were different. But when I see the challenges our campers face on a daily basis and the smile they do it with, it really makes that little whiny voice in my head think "Rob, do you truly have it so bad"?

The beauty of our FLC campers is just that: they too listen to that voice and tell themselves that they can treasure what they have and not focus on what they do not.  They never truly feel that they have it that bad in life. Because of the people our campers meet they realize there are many others like them who face challenges, and they learn to treasure their abilities and learn to deal with their disabilities.

Our campers never look for sympathy or a hand out. All they ask for is opportunities. The same opportunities offered to other campers across the globe to participate in a camp program to learn life lessons, gain social skills through interactions and make friends.

This year when making a donation, do not make it because you feel our campers need sympathy or are so less fortunate. Our never feel bad for themselves or consider themselves less fortunate then you or I.  Make it to ensure that these opportunities that the Florida Lions Camp offers to our campers continue to be available to hundreds of children and adults with and without disabilities.  Your donation will go a long way to helping a camper this summer be given an opportunity they have never gotten before. And that is all our campers truly want. 

Please help me in my effort to raise $4,500 for FLC, my goal to participate in the walk this year.  I have set my goal at $4,500, as that will allow 9 campers (one per camping session) to experience the opportunities given at FLC each summer. Please give what you are comfortable with. Our campers don't ask for much, just the chance to show what they can do.

Help us continue to offer opportunities that would otherwise not be available to our campers.

Bless you and thank you for doing what you can to help these unique individuals!

For more information on FLC, please check out lionscampfl.org or email me directly at robcage@hotmail.com.

Thank you!

Rob Cage, FLC Camp Director