I could
go on and on about the associates from the Federal Court Western Missouri who
donated money and volunteered at Gillis in June 2012. The volunteers
planned the food and activities they wanted to do with the Gillis residential
boys down to every last detail. When they got to campus, they each set into
action. Everything was perfect.
They set
up three activity stations in the Gillis gymnasium. The kids rotated in groups
from bingo to decorating cupcakes and then to decorating a natural canvass drawstring
bag with fabric paint for themselves. Things were planned so well that each boy
got to participate in all activities.
After
the activities the volunteers cooked hotdogs on the grill and served the food
and drinks to the Gillis boys. They sat with the boys at the picnic tables and
chatted like they were all old friends. Dessert was fresh watermelon which was
cut on the spot and each child had “watermelon faces” as they devoured the
melon.
While
some of the volunteers were cleaning the tables others were playing basketball
and kickball with the boys outdoors. You could hear laughter and screams of
delight from the volunteers and the kids. Next, everyone went back to the gym
and two men briefly spoke to the boys about their lives and how to make good
choices. A Gillis boy got up from the bleachers and thanked the group for
taking their day off work to be with them. The other boys agreed, thanked them
for coming, and gave them a round of applause.
Another
one of the Gillis boys bonded with a special volunteer. When he first came to
Gillis he shied away from adults because he didn’t trust people. On this day he
hugged and followed this particular volunteer everywhere she went. He said “this
is the best day of my life.” When asked what he liked best about the day with
the volunteers, he answered decorating the cupcakes and then quickly pointed to
this volunteer and said “her.”
The
volunteers left the un-used food and other items for the boys to use. The court
staff had a great time with the children and want to come back and do this
again later this year. The boys will be ready!
Submitted by Saundra Johnson, Gillis Volunteer Manager
