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Seattle Celebrates Summer
Seattle, Washington -- A little girl flitted in and out the doorway like a newly hatched butterfly. A boy shook his head at her as he bellowed out the notes of a newly learned song. A few young actors covered their ears while practicing their lines. All of these children were preparing for the City Arts Summer Day Camp's final performance at the end of the week. They wouldn't have been able to participate in this three week camp if it hadn't been for sponsors including Operation Blessing partners like you.
More than 270 elementary age children and teens living in poverty were able to truly celebrate summer! Rainier Avenue Church (RAC) was one of three Seattle groups participating in Operation Blessing's Bless-A-Child program last year. During its three week City Arts Summer Day camp young boys and girls were able to creatively express themselves, explore gifts they never knew they had as well as gain confidence by taking free drama, dance, music and visual arts lessons. The day camp also included cooking, kick-boxing, outdoor activities, weekly field trips, breakfast, lunch and snacks!
Youth in the surrounding area were not forgotten either. Fifteen-year-old "Julius" had been shuffled from house to house all his life as a result of his mom's drug addiction. He had begun school in the suburbs with his grandparents. Since moving back to his mom's in the city, this sophomore in high school got up each morning at four and took the bus. Silent anger had built up in Julius' heart. He had been recently arrested for shop lifting and received forty hours of community service. His mom "Sarah" was trying to become a good mother by getting clean, but worried when she caught her son looking at pornography on the internet. She asked RAC's Marvin Gray for help and to see if Julius could attend the summer youth camp. The answer was yes!
Hesitant at first, Julius accepted Marvin's invitation to help sell programs at a camp fundraiser. While earning money for camp, he connected with a new group of guys from the neighborhood and soon became excited. With the help of sponsors like Operation Blessing, Julius was soon off to camp in Oregon. While away, he realized he needed to stay within his mom's boundaries as she tried to stay straight herself. Julius continued to participate in RAC's activities even after camp.
Last summer youth activities also included team building exercises such as hikes in Western Washington, basketball tournaments, white-water rafting, inner-tubing, ice skating, swimming, rock-climbing, and ropes courses. Volunteers staff and participants looked at subjects including the importance of suicide prevention, study skills, goal setting, persistence, teamwork, sexual purity and abstinence.
As Operation Blessing centers around the world prepare for this year's Bless-A-Child season, we need the faithful support of partners like you. Please help children of all ages who live in poverty worldwide stay off the streets and celebrate summer!
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