Tony Garza participates in one many games at the Summer Camp For the Disabled. Volunteers, Veronica Garcia at left and Joseph Gonzalez at right were 2 of the 30 John Paul II High School students who offered to help out at the summer camp for the disabled. Al Soliz, from the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coastal Bend and staff was in charge of all the games.

Coordinators, Celia Mendez and Aurora Martinez from the Office For Persons With a Disability, were pleased by the turnout of volunteers for the Summer Camp at the Queen of Peace Retreat Center. They were also thankful for all the volunteers for the indoor picnics in Sinton and Alice and the picnic for the deaf at West Guth Park in Corpus Christi. If it wasn`t for the generous donations and volunteers we would not be able to have these summer events for the disabled.

Summer Camp and picnics are important for persons with a disability. They provide a recreational respite and a chance to socialize with their peers as well as the volunteers. The camp provides meals, medical supervision, spiritual talks, arts and crafts, games, a talent show and a chance to meet a great number of people throughout the diocese.

The 3-day camp for persons with a disability was started by Fr. David Walsh many years ago. At the time Fr. Walsh, a Redemptorist priest who had been in charge of the Office For Persons With a Disability and who had been the Spiritual Director to Corpus Christi area Knights of Columbus, had enlisted the help of Rosendo Vasquez, a fourth degree Knight at St. Peter in Annaville. When Fr. Walsh died, Rosendo and his wife Terry continued the tradition of enlisting all the councils in the diocese. The Knights of Columbus and the Alhambra provided all the meals at the summer camp and the picnics. I enjoy it. I was there at the right time when Fr. Walsh asked me to help, said Vasquez.

Vasquez recently met a group of teens from John Paul II High School at a fundraiser and enlisted their help to find volunteers. Over 30 students volunteered to help at the Queen of Peace Retreat Center. There were actually so many youth who volunteered that they had to split them up in groups. John Paul II High School students are required to complete a certain amount of community service hours every year.

Another volunteer, Marty Sais is a special Ed teacher. He and his wife, Emma enlisted some teachers from T. G. Allen Elementary School, friends from their church and a neighbor to help out at the camp. They are in charge of the activities and spiritual lessons at the camp.

The theme this year was Passport to the Promised Land â€" following the steps of Jesus. We made individual passports with their pictures for all the campers, they really got a kick out of that,they had to carry and present the passport every time they entered each city (or class session). It was nice, said Celia Mendez.

These events for the disabled are very important and necessary, said Mendez. Volunteers who give of their time are an invaluable service to the community of disabled. The disabled enjoy an opportunity to create, play, dance, socialize, worship, eat, drink and be merry at these summer events and the volunteers enjoy the smiles and the joy on their faces and the unconditional love in their eyes. It`s a very rewarding experience for both camper and volunteers.

(The Diocesan Office for Persons with a Disability provides area wide educational, spiritual, and recreational programs for the hearing impaired, the deaf, the vision impaired, the blind, the mentally challenged, and those with other disabilities. If you would like to volunteer for upcoming events call Celia Mendez at 884-0651 Ext. 226 or Aurora Martinez 884-0651 at Ext. 227.)