Emmaus High Sophomore Helps Terminally Ill Children

Name:  Laura Lievre

Age:  15

Hometown:  Lower Macungie Township

Family:  Laura resides with her parents, Shelly and Kevin, and her brother Kyle, 17.

School:  She is a sophomore at Emmaus High School and baby-sits from time to time.

Name of organization:  Camelot for Children

Describe what you do.  “I help with summer camp. The program runs for six weeks, two days a week—Mondays and Wednesdays. There is also a one-week day camp in August. 

“Volunteers are paired with a child, or buddy, every day. The children who attend the camp are terminally ill, disabled or the sibling of an ill or disabled child. We take them to various activities held throughout the day, helping them with whatever their need happens to be.

“Some of the things we do are going to a park set up for the handicapped, have them play on a splash pad, arts and crafts, music, reading, and a lot more.  There is also an area set aside for those who want to take a nap. We sometimes take them on field trips to go bowling, boating and fishing, swim at local hotel pools and go to a water park.”

Why and how long have you volunteered?  “I have volunteered for the past three years. The best way I can say why I do it is because it is a day all about them. A day or a week where they can do basically whatever they want. I like being a part of that -- seeing them happy and having a good time.”

What do you get out of it?  “I like to help the kids who are not as fortunate as me. They deserve to have fun, just like we do. It is not their fault they are in whatever situation they are in. The kids are great. I know most of the kids who come and really like being with them.” 

How can someone get involved with this group if they want?  “To help any time with anything they do throughout the year, just check out their website.”

Do you know a volunteer who Patch should profile? Contact jennifer.marangos@patch.com