Volunteers sought for Beacon’s SAS program
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. is looking for volunteers to assist with the Students Achieving Success program. SAS is the educational component of the Beacon.
“We will really need mentors for this summer session,” said Betsy Heasemeyer, Beacon of HOPE director. “Mentoring helps these children because it assures a young person that there is someone who cares about them. That the child is not alone in dealing with day to day challenges. Mentors provide a experienced friend who is there to help.”
“Having a Survivor Camp seemed to draw in a lot more kids,” camp coordinator Nichole Pichon said. “This camp enables us to ‘sneakily’ teach these kids all summer long. Every week we have a theme. Last year the kids learned how to make a water filtration system and how to build a fire. They also learned about Hurricane Preparedness.”
Three camps are scheduled for this summer. The Survivor Camp is for 6th graders.
“We ran this last year and it was a huge success,” Pichon said. “One of the things we did last year was a visit to the fire house. There were about 20 SAS kids treated to a lesson about putting out fires. Each kid had an opportunity to put out a fire with a fire extinguisher with what the fire department calls the P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep) method. Another program we plan for this summer if having the kids learn CPR.”
The Beacon is looking for mentors and tutors. Tutors may have skills that are sitting idle and perhaps they would like to share those talents. Possibly someone would like to teach the kids to paint, draw, teach music, small construction. Any kind of crafts would be most welcome.
“Overall, the program builds team building,” Haesemeyer said. “This is an opportunity for Pine Island adults to mentor and tutor Pine Island children. This can be a very rewarding experience and people can make a difference in as little as 15 minutes.”
Former WINK anchorman and Beacon of H.O.P.E. board member Jim McLaughlin said, “Today I am a volunteer chef – I work full time as a volunteer cook for the Beacon of H.O.P.E. on Pine Island. As a board member my job is to contribute something to the organization … We have two dozen different programs, one of which is feeding hungry kids and that’s the part I took over last year. We feed 120 kids a day – 50 for breakfast and 75 for lunch. We call it SAS, Students Achieving Success. It’s one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done in my life. News was good to me. .. but this reaches into your soul. Some days it leaves me in tears.”
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. is also looking for drivers. Volunteers will receive some training and must pass a background check.
Call the Beacon for details at 239-283-5123.