As I finish up the final touches on some event materials for Watson Children’s Shelter’s 15th Annual Bike for Shelter (May 30th), my mind wanders to the last humbling story the Watson’s Development Director, Alley, shared about a child who was recently placed in their care. (Which, side note, brought the shelter to a place they love and hate at the same time – full capacity once again.) Being at full capacity means they are helping Montana’s children, but it also means some children have to be turned away and that is a heartbreaking spot to be in. Alley could obviously only share the briefest of details, but what was not told in words, you could read in her tear filled eyes as she grabbed a tissue and apologized, gazing past us to what I call the “strength wall” in the boardroom to regain her composure and saying “it just doesn’t get any easier . . .” (I silently hope it doesn’t, for then one might not care as much). While wiping her nose and adding with a haphazard grin, she shares with us all of the wonderful changes this child is already showing in the brief time of being wrapped in the goodness of Watson Children’s Shelters’ warm arms.
Since volunteering my services for the Bike for Shelter Committee, I have heard some painful stories and have been rewarded with countless inspiring stories! I don’t know the details of these children; as it is confidential and not my business. What I do know is that the minute they walk through Watson’s doors, they are given a chance they didn’t have before. They are given a glimmer of what their life is truly worth from the love and structure their daily life takes on during their stay. They are given something that I take for granted and what my children take for granted (and I hope they always do), the feeling of value, stability, and pure love.
Watson Children’s Shelter is a place for children to stay in a time of crisis. They are automatically ushered to a pediatrician for a well check-up to be examined and get their immunizations up-to-date. They then have their teeth examined and cleaned and their eyes checked. Then the nurturing begins, they have in-house counselors and aids. They have a daily routine with chores to do and rules to abide to give them structure and self-esteem. They are rewarded with trips to Splash Montana, movie nights, rides on the carousel and camping trips. They get to be kids, and that my friends, is the best thing of all! These are just a few of the reasons why I love this organization and wish I could give more.
To tell you the truth, I am not sure I could take on the weight of these children’s stories; my heart may be too fragile. (Just in the two month stint with my twins in the NICU, I wanted to adopt about six babies who were being neglected daily by their families. I am fairly certain I would have a hard time dealing with the “knowing” day in and day out. It would have to get easier. . although I am not sure I want my heart hardened that much.) The safe and nurturing haven Watson Children’s Shelter provides and the lifelong impact they have on the children multiplies with each person; the staff, board members, committee members (like myself), and especially the other children they come in contact with.
So I invite you to join my family, May 30th for Bike for Shelter, an 11-mile beautiful bike ride, or a 2-mile fun ride for the littles, or (new this year) a great strider course for the tots (which my twins may slowly make it through)! Dress-up in your wildest costume and win a prize, but don’t forget your helmet! Plus, you get to round the day out by enjoying a fantastic family carnival with live music and a BBQ!
Learn more about Watson Children’s Shelter and check out the bike course and schedule here! If you can’t make the ride, there is always a diaper needed or a birthday to celebrate at Watson’s that you can help-out with! See their wish list here!
note: Bike for Shelter Logo & Illustration provided by Partners Creative. The Map and Brochure contents are a collaboration between myself and Watson Children’s Shelter staff, I provided the graphics and they provided the Shelter information.
Learn More about
Watson Children’s Shelter:
www.watsonchildrensshelter.org
Register for Bike for Shelter:
www.bikeforshelter.com
Follow Watson Children’s Shelter on Facebook:
WatsonChildrensShelter
Follow Bike for Shelter on Twitter:
#WCSBikeforShelter, #BikeforShelter
About the author:
Kasey B. Wright is a small town, small business kind of girl with nature in her heart. She grew-up working long hours at her parents general store in amazing Joseph, Oregon – Google it, oh wait, here’s a link – visit! Really- Arts, Camping, Resort on Wallowa Lake, Mountains, 52 high lakes, Gorgeous! Enough with the free advertisement, but truly it is amazing – Google it! Now days, if not twiddling away on her iMac, painting, or mentally re-designing pretty much everything, she is outside with her family enjoying all of the adventures that lay beyond her front door (which in Missoula are abundant and basically start within a five-minute radius of her house). Her family, a husband of whom she met as a freshman in college (architect – I know two designers and yes, nothing ever gets done), our dog (neurotic first child wire-haired pointing griffon), cat (shelter cat – maybe the most adjusted member of our family), and toddler twins (girl+boy) in chronological order, keep the adventure alive! Oh yah, fish too (rarely claimed).
