In January, I strapped on my hypothetical bike helmet for the fourth year to join a committee of other volunteers and shelter staff in putting together Watson Children’s Shelter Annual Bike for Shelter, a Missoula spring tradition, seventeen years in the making.
While thanked-up-and down for my little contribution to this event, my job feels small compared to what the staff at the Shelter does and the reason why we are doing it. From January to May, I am directly confronted with the reality that some of Montana’s children are not as lucky as mine. They are going through personal trials that are nightmares to the average person, let alone a child. Our monthly meetings begin with an update on the 24 children that the shelter cares for, who range in age from infant to 14. At our first meeting, my heart hits my stomach as Alley (Development Director – normally a formidable numbers gal with a bit of a drawl and a laugh that charges the room) quietly relays a story about one of the older children finding out over winter break his parents had relinquished custody of him. Some may say this could be be a blessing, others may fight the other way – but the truth is – this child is faced with the reality that his parents can’t or won’t love him the way he deserves. That should never be someone’s story.
As most parents do, I pray my children never doubt my love. I live with my husband, two healthy four-year-olds, a dog, a cat and yes, a fish and while it isn’t luxurious (my silverware drawer literally just dropped out of my cabinet this weekend) I know it is a gift because of who I get to share it with. Some days seem hard and long as I am breaking-up the umpteenth innocent sibling squabble over a Lego set, smoothing out yet another breakdown over a store cashier not offering a sticker when obviously, they were being so good and polite, facing a higher than expected dental bill, and when my house is fever ridden and dirty. But really, life is so easy … we always know a better day is coming, we never worry about being hungry, or if someone will be home, or sober, or angry or happy (okay maybe happy, but only in the irrational 4-year-old way). Each of us know we are loved without a doubt. After I get home from each Shelter meeting, I peek in on my kids who are still cuddled into their comfy beds for their afternoon nap (don’t hate me because my kids still nap – they stay up until 9pm (ahhhh!)) and thank my lucky stars they are safe and feel secure in our home because I know some children don’t. Some children are removed from unsafe homes, uncertain of their future. Some children are searching for food or dodging fists or looking for a safe place to sleep. Some children find out their parents don’t want them.
Out of the hundreds of children in crisis in Montana, 100-120 are housed and loved annually by Watson’s Children Shelter. In the two to three month stay at WCS, these children are physically and mentally loved. They see pediatricians, dentists, eye doctors, counselors. They learn rules, eat good healthy meals, go to school, go swimming, catch fish, see movies, and make friends. They receive the equivalent of what a “home” should feel like. They SEE and FEEL LOVE!
Help me SPREAD LOVE to Montana’s children in crisis by bringing your family, friends, co-workers – heck, grab someone riding their bike down the street – to the 17th Annual Watson Children’s Shelter Bike for Shelter, Saturday, May 13th at 9am in the Community Medical Center parking lot! You can register early HERE or just show-up and join in the fun! After you pedal the 11-mile course, or even just conquering the 2-Mile Fun Loop (you’ll probably see me stuck at mile one, head down, carrying two balance bikes with two crying 4-year-olds in tow) – you get to enjoy a BBQ, good music, visit with Monte, and relax!
Bike for Shelter draws in over $60,000 in sponsors, takes over 150 volunteers and, raises awareness about Montana’s children in crisis to over 600 people (big & small)! Nearly 50% of the Shelters’ operating funds are provided through private donations.
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 4-year-old twins (girl+boy) in chronological order, keep the adventure alive! Oh yah, fish too (rarely claimed).
