News & Events | Media Small Gifts, Great Rewards (2001) Written By: Oprah's Angel Network
2/1/2001
One Story Changed Everything
"I caught Oprah's "Use Your Life Award" being given to Neil Willenson for founding Camp Heartland... for children either with AIDS or who've been affected by AIDS. He was providing a safe haven for these kids to go to and be accepted... totally valued, totally loved."
"That story really changed my life and how I look at the world. It had a huge impact on me. It really caused me to look deep within my life and what I was doing. I felt like my existence was fairly selfish. I was afraid of what the commitment of 'giving' would mean to my life... [that] I would have to sacrifice a lot in my life."
Using Her Own Life
"I went to Camp Heartland's Web site (www.campheartland.org) and discovered that they had a wish list with items that they needed for the camp. I printed out the wish list and decided that every month when [my daughter] and I did our discount shopping, we would buy one small item from the list and send it to the camp."
"It makes me feel like I'm connected to Neil's effort... that I am building upon what he's doing. Starting with something small has made me realize I don't have to do something big to make this commitment."
The Ripple Effect
"Neil has given me this tremendous gift... the gift of knowing that I can do something. It has opened my eyes to how we all impact each others' lives in just the small things that we do. We set the ripple in motion, and it comes back to us even bigger by giving us these great rewards in return."
For general information about Camp Heartland programs and volunteer opportunities, you can contact us at: helpkids@campheartland.org, (414)272-1118 or (800)724-4673
