This morning, I started my day as I always do, reading Doug Peterson‘s blog post. Little did I know how this post would speak volumes for the rest of my day.
For the third summer in a row, I’m the site lead at Camp Power. As part of this experience, I get to work with incredible children, parents, families, and educators. Yesterday, one of these educators, Jessie Mullin, helped facilitate something amazing when one of her campers came in upset. He explained to Miss Mullin that somebody stole his bike and his mom’s bike. This led to an authentic writing experience.
I have seen many wonderful things, but this one brought me to tears (of joy). Thanks to @missmullin17 for helping her camper see the power of the written word, and @HamiltonPolice for making a difference in the lives of kids. Amazing!! ❤️❤️❤️ cc @maryanne_gage @bill_torrens pic.twitter.com/N6XgVv8Bze
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
ATTN: @HamiltonPolice a student at @HWDSBCampPower wrote a letter to you today about two bikes that were stolen from his house yesterday. He has provided a description and location. HAVE YOU SEEN THESE BIKES?! pic.twitter.com/0n1YFp92VE
— Jessie Mullin (@missmullin17) August 13, 2019
Jessie also used this experience for a great lesson in social media. We hear many negative social media stories, and often see how it’s the bad experiences that tend to trend. Doug’s morning post includes this point. But in the midst of the bad, there is still good in this world!
The Hamilton Police not only saw Jessie’s tweet, but also responded to it. They wanted to do something for this camper and his mom, and this is what led to today’s terrific experience.
Thanks again to the @HamiltonPolice for their surprise visit to @HWDSBCampPower today, and for showing our campers that there is good in this world. Talk about a good news, social media story. Amazing! ❤️❤️❤️ @missmullin17 @maryanne_gage @bill_torrens pic.twitter.com/IoANVRvCfl
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
The amazing @HamiltonPolice are presenting this camper and his mom with new bikes after theirs were stolen. The camper’s letter started this all, along with a tweet from his incredible instructor, @missmullin17. Talk about seeing the power of literacy! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cKSCqClcwD
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
Mounting the bike and he’s off. This @HWDSBCampPower camper is certainly enjoying his new bike. Thanks to the @HamiltonPolice for making this possible. pic.twitter.com/euVsalsqzF
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
He is definitely loving his new bike, and his mom’s story in the background shows just how much this @HamiltonPolice gift meant to him. pic.twitter.com/31nlV8tTHV
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
They are both riding around on their new bikes! The @HamiltonPolice are incredible, and did something truly wonderful here today. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qB7ikO4tjl
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
I totally love this special plaque that the police gave the @HWDSBCampPower camper along with the bikes. They show the power in the written language too. His letter is on here. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kYmJVI5m06
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
A few more photographs from this special visit today. All of the kids were talking about the time with the @HamiltonPolice. pic.twitter.com/1CPIilTtQe
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
Today my heart felt so full! The @HamiltonPolice came to @HWDSBCampPower today to give Dallas and his mom new bikes to recognize Dallas for his hard work and commitment to the community. I am so overwhelmed by the kindness they showed to our community. A huge huge thankyou!! ❤❤ pic.twitter.com/6A3a7WVnjx
— Jessie Mullin (@missmullin17) August 14, 2019
A little extra lesson for everyone from the @HamiltonPolice today. This is such a special story. pic.twitter.com/EB6HIHRbzJ
— 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 (@avivaloca) August 14, 2019
Thanks to @missmullin17 @HWDSBCampPower for sharing the story. We were so happy to be able to surprise the young camper with new bikes for him and his Mom after theirs were stolen! https://t.co/kyqJaFplSi
— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) August 14, 2019
I am not one to be speechless, but witnessing this today, leaves me feeling that way. What a heart-warming story that speaks to …
- the value of social media,
- the power of the written word,
- the kindness of people,
- and the importance of community connections.
Our camp uses Twitter to help document and share much of our daily learning. Not every family is on Twitter, nor is every educator. But it was actually this bike experience that had Jessie showing her campers, and even this child’s mother, how to use Twitter. This bike experience not only got her tweeting, but seeing the positive power of a tweet.
In a world full of problems, I think that we can all appreciate and celebrate the good in this world. This bike story is that “good.” Thanks to Jessie for helping a camper solve a problem through writing, and thanks to the Hamilton Police for partnering with us to make a family’s day. What are your feel good stories? I wonder if we share more of them, if the CN Tower trending will help us not just suspect the worst. Could we ever get to a point where “good news stories” start to exceed the bad?
Aviva
What a wonderful story, Aviva. Thank you for sharing it. A big shoutout has to go to the fine officers in Hamilton for their generosity. There really is good in this world and it needs to be celebrated. It would be nice if THIS story trended but chances are it won’t. But, it makes all the difference in the world to the two of them.
Thanks Doug! It really would be nice if this story trended, but even though it probably won’t, it’s awesome to read the number of amazing, positive responses from parents, educators, and community members on what happened here today. The story is getting out there, and many people are able to celebrate along with this camper and his mom. It’s a good reminder that there is definitely good in this world! Reading the lovely tweets from mom tonight makes my already happy heart even happier.
Aviva