Mentoring discussed at Rotary meeting

    Carolyn Hildebrand, of the Central Aroostook Mentoring Program (CAMP), was the featured speaker Sept. 10 at the Presque Isle Rotary Club meeting at the Northeastland Hotel.
    CAMP began five years ago and now serves 177 children with 56 from Presque Isle. The children are referred to the mentoring program from a variety of different sources such as social service agencies, school officials, law enforcement personnel, parents and other family members.     CAMP’s mission is to provide trained, safe, and caring mentors for children and youth ages 7 to 18 from central Aroostook who are “at-risk” and need a role model in their life regardless of the type of disadvantage that places them in need, said Hildebrand. There is no charge for these services and no pay for the volunteers.
    Funding for CAMP comes from United Way of Aroostook, civic organizations, grants, fund-raising events and individual charitable contributions. There will be a Bowl-A-Thon for the organization in which all of the proceeds will be used in the program. CAMP is always looking for mentors and volunteers, interested persons should contact Hildebrand.      
    Rotarian Gina LeBlanc-Eggert addressed the Presque Isle Rotary Club Aug. 27 on the Special Olympics here in Aroostook County.
    Special Olympics involve 1.4 million athletes and 160 countries around the world.  It was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the need of those with special mental and physical limitations.  Their mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage , experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
    The Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath is “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”  Every athlete that participates receives a medal or ribbon.  LeBlanc-Eggert said the local chapter was formed in the early 1980s.  It now offers events such as soccer, basketball, aquatics and a winter fun day.  Presque Isle Policeman Joey Seeley was asked to participate in the Torch Run for the Shanghai Games in 2007.
    The next local Special Olympics event will take place on Friday, Sept. 28 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. LeBlanc-Eggert mentioned that the group is always looking for volunteers to help in any way possible.
    Marcia Hartt was welcomed as the club’s newest member.