On the Fourth of July, more than 50 children, 35 from the shelter LA Family Housing in North Hollywood, jumped on a bus supplied by Laidlaw and Safety Harbor Kids and spent the day at Cali Camp, Big Rock Ranch and Topanga.
This special day was the brainchild of founder John Williams and President Petrie Alexandra Williams of Safety Harbor Kids, a nonprofit organization founded to build homes for parentless children and create local community events and activities for children to learn, grow and be mentored by philanthropic minded community members.
When the children arrived at the camp they were asked what they wanted to do. Some wanted to eat, so they ate. Some wanted to paint so they went to the art table. Some wanted to play musical instruments, so they did. One brave boy wanted to learn to swim, and so he did. And some even caught fish!
A rope challenge coarse instilled confidence and trust in the children as they scaled the ropes and obstacles securely in their safety harnesses under the scrutiny of the volunteer instructor from Rockreation in West Los Angeles. Many community members and local businesses demonstrated an overwhelming outpouring of support including Laidlaw, Whole Foods, Home Depot, The Rib Ranch, Inn of the Seventh Ray and Topanga General Store, Pats Grill and The Italian Deli. There were many volunteers to help the day go smoothly, including a group of teens from ECHO, a recovery program in Malibu.
The children, including a group of youngsters from Hathaway-Sycamore, a foster home, were treated to a special performance by Disney’s T Squad with “BooBoo” and “Kid Karizz.” The group was so moved by the children that its members offered them free tickets and back stage passes to their concert in Valencia on July 24.
Safety Harbor Kids is planning more special days for School on Wheels students and children in need. For more information, go to www.safetyharborkids.org.