Rotary guest discusses ‘hidden victims of crime’
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Members of the Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village are honored to provide charitable gifts through fundraising activities to help deserving causes. During a recent meeting, Rotarians had the opportunity to see a great example of those efforts.
Village resident Bill Monson presented a slide show spotlighting children who have been helped by the Dick Johnston Camp, a nondenominational summer program in Arkansas for children of incarcerated parents.
“These children are the hidden victims of crime,” Monson said in a news release. “They are traumatized, and they feel guilt and fear. Often, they are really orphans. One child saw the mother murdered by the father. These kids are sometimes raised by grandparents or other family members, or are put into foster care. The camp also provides a week of respite for the caregiver.”
In an atmosphere of sunshine, natural beauty and fresh air, the children are taught to swim and to help with a working farm — often the first time they have seen food being grown. Led by caring staff, they experience hiking and fishing, along with real-world opportunities for character building.
Since many read well below their grade level, there are exercises in literacy, and each child may go home with about a dozen books.
Depending on funds, the camp is able to serve about 40 children each year out of almost 900 who have been identified by the Prison Fellowship list. Monson expressed appreciation for HSV Rotary’s contribution to the effort through its annual sponsorship of a deserving child.
Membership in HSV Rotary Club is open to all, and guests are always welcome to attend weekly meetings, held at 7 a.m. Thursdays in the Fireside Dining Room of the Good Samaritan Society, 121 Cortez Road.