Children from the Standish Recreation Department summer camps gathered last Friday to clean up the town and raise money for another children’s recreation program in Slidell, Louisiana, a town that was devastated in the wake of Hurricane Katrina last year.
“I thought it would be a good thing to give back to our community as well as help another town in need,” said Kate Brooks, the Standish Outreach coordinator. “Even though we’re a part of a summer program we do take it seriously. Something like this helps the kids realize how lucky they are to have all of these facilities.”
After cleaning up trash at the Edna Libby and George E. Jack schools, Standish Memorial Park and Steep Falls Field, children gathered at the Hannaford’s parking lot and Kiwanis Beach in Standish with signs asking for contributions from patrons throughout most of the day.
Caitlin Willington, 11, who was fundraising at the Kiwanis Beach, said it is unfortunate the victims of Katrina have been left without the resources children in Standish enjoy throughout the summer.
“It made me realize what we have,” she said, holding up a sign that asked for contributions.
Justine Glass, 10, who participated in the fundraiser at Hannaford’s, also came to a similar realization.
“I think kids at Slidell should have a chance to have a good time like most kids do,” she said.
Nate Biczak, a co-director at the Standish Recreation Department, said it was impressive seeing Standish youth make such a magnanimous effort.
“I’m glad to see kids come together for such a good cause,” he said.
Ronna Ouellette, from Westbrook, dropped some money into a bucket for the Slidell victims on Friday.
“The kids just look so cute,” she laughed, adding that she has roots in Louisiana.
The town of Slidell is still in the long, arduous process of recovering from the hurricane, according to Kim Bergeron, the acting director of Slidell’s Department of Cultural and Public Affairs, which works in conjunction with the town’s department of recreation.
“We’re very blessed with a huge outpouring of support from all across the United States,” she said. “And we’re very grateful for Standish’s support, especially from the young children. It’s great to know there are people out there we’ve never met who are giving so much for the children in Slidell. We just want to extend a very gracious ‘thank you’,” she said.
Bergeron likened the situation in Slidell to the story, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” wherein the townsfolk of Whoville, although robbed of their gifts before Christmas, still manage to come together and celebrate.
“It’s all about the spirit of a community that refuses to be defeated,” Bergeron said.
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