41 Comments
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Ed S.'s avatar

This is so well written, John. Thank you for another reminder that there are good humans in this world doing great things without regard for fame and money. We need to remember this, and do likewise.

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David Hopkins's avatar

John, great article!! We are so negative about college sports we forget the times that athletics and teachers spend in helping children, disabled or not.

My mother taught first grade through three generations of families in Eastern Oregon. My bother taught in junior high school, high school and was a principal. Most of my good friends come from athletic endeavor's , either playing or officiating.

I have always felt the most important people are those who teach special ed. It takes a special type of person to put smiles on those kids faces and teach them.

Kudos to these college athletes, Cal and Portland State for giving back to these kids. And to our teachers who guide our children’s educations.

This is what real life is all about!

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Skip Rochefort's avatar

John - Thanks again for another story about the "other side" of sports and college athletes -- the good they can do as role models and mentors. Your ending comment about getting families involved early leads to lifelong commitment rings true for our family. My daughter started on the local club swim team (Corvallis Aquatic Team - CAT led by Coach Rick Gunther) when she was seven and swam through high school. Coach Gunther had the swimmers volunteer in the Oregon Special Olympics program every year. My daughter absolutely loved working with the kids, much more than the 8000 yard swim days:) She went on to work with the Life Skills kids at CHS (thanks again to a wonderful coach Jodie Storie) and a BS in Public Health from OSU and an MPH from PSU/OHSU both in Health Promotion. Now, she is beginning Nursing School. When you instill compassion and giving at an early age, it carries into adulthood. Just like the Cal, PSU, UP players....and your kids. Maybe there is HOPE in this world after all!

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Brad Weekly's avatar

Word. Beautiful, man. Just beautiful.

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James Bailey's avatar

There you go again!

“Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well — or ill?”

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Gene Calderon's avatar

It poured cats & dogs in the Bay Area yesterday. Much kudos to these Cal Football players who said they were gonna hold the event rain or shine. With that kind of turnout despite the tough weather, just shows how much these types of events are needed. Thank you John for writing about this effort!

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Tom Taylor's avatar

The real story about the college athletes that we need to hear.

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Ed Osterman's avatar

Spot on! Remember that I’m available this Summer to teach your campers the game of pickleball. I’m a Level 1 certified PPR instructor with all the equipment, and would be delighted to volunteer.

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Jim Roakd's avatar

Why can’t society be as good in its entirety as is many of its individual parts.

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Anne Ballin's avatar

Jim, the question of all questions!!! Just confirms to me that there is more good in people than bad. A wonderful read.

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Michael Bishop's avatar

It’s a warmer world when we come to understand we are all just one. The tribalism and the feudalism just dissolves when we come to understand how lucky we are compared to the needs of the less fortunate. Canzano with his finger on the pulse again. Bravo!

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Jen GH's avatar

I love to read these stories about young adults, athletes or not, giving back to their communities. Makes me hopeful for the future as I get older. I also love that your extended family is involved with your camp John, didn’t know that tidbit. Kudos to you all.

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David's avatar

John, watching the video of the kids and the Cal players was just fantastic.

Sometimes hard to tell who was having the most fun, but fun was being had in spades.

Well done by those involved.

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Joe Majors's avatar

What a great story J C. Is there any way in which we “outsiders” can help, with a money donation, or something?

Please let me know.

Thank you

Joe

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SCA's avatar

Nice job, John; as always!

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jon joseph's avatar

👍👍👍

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Jeanie Monterossi's avatar

Well written beautiful story John. It sounds like these programs provide FUN, Self CONFIDENCE, Learning opportunities and a great vehicle for making new friends and good memories .You know this might be God’s answer to his commandment “love one another” no downside…for campers or mentors.Thank you!

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