Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Bob Burke’s summer programs set to begin
by Kim Kaido-Alvarez
Sonoma West Staff Writer
It all began when Bob Burke met a young girl who told him that the worst thing about having cancer was that there was nothing to do.
Burke immediately wanted to change that for her and started a summer program where kids with serious illnesses could enjoy fishing, campfires, bowling and other recreational activities.
“This is a place where kids can just be kids and we provide a blanket of love for them,” said Bob Burke, founder of Bob Burke’s Kids’ Program, a part of West County Community Services of Guerneville (WCCS).
The nonprofit was started more than 40 years ago and has grown to include more than 80 volunteers servicing about 100 families.
The center for the program is at Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville. Under the majestic redwoods and along the Russian River, activities like barbecues, fishing, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, sack races and water balloon fights take place on Wednesday nights beginning June 10 and ending Sept. 9.
The program is free to seriously ill children and their families and provides a much needed break from chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stays, clinic procedures, and blood work which consumes most of their time. An outdoor church service begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a barbecue and other activities.
Young people from across Sonoma County are invited to participate in the Wednesday night fun, but 89 percent of those who attend are residents of West Sonoma County. The program has proved to not only be helpful to the children who are ill, but also their siblings and parents. It’s a place where parents can network with one another, discussing experiences and the latest in medical treatments, said Burke.
Kelli Olvera of Sebastopol began attending Burke’s Wednesday night event with her family years ago, and even though she lost her daughter Ana who had a brain tumor, Olvera continues to attend the event that created happy memories for her daughter.
“Burke’s event is always fun for the kids and it was huge for me, to see my daughter smile and play with the other kids when she had lost her hair and gained weight. The other kids there didn’t care. It was a great outlet and retreat,” Olvera said.
A number of fundraisers throughout the year help fund the summer program.
“The El Molino and Analy High School Leadership groups raised the money that paid for a large part of this year’s grocery bill,” Burke said.
The students will also be working as volunteers on Wednesday nights cooking, serving, cleaning and helping with the recreational games.
The Gonnella family and the Union Hotel are also a big part of Burke’s support network, hosting holiday events that raise funds for the program. Cattleman’s Restaurant and students from Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa have also pitched in, providing time and resources to Bob Burke’s Kids.
Bob Burke’s Kids’ Program operates solely by financial contributions from the public, corporations, businesses and organizations. Not one of the staff is salaried. All financial contributions go 100 percent to the children’s program.
For more information call 707-887-2222.
Burke immediately wanted to change that for her and started a summer program where kids with serious illnesses could enjoy fishing, campfires, bowling and other recreational activities.
“This is a place where kids can just be kids and we provide a blanket of love for them,” said Bob Burke, founder of Bob Burke’s Kids’ Program, a part of West County Community Services of Guerneville (WCCS).
The nonprofit was started more than 40 years ago and has grown to include more than 80 volunteers servicing about 100 families.
The center for the program is at Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville. Under the majestic redwoods and along the Russian River, activities like barbecues, fishing, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, sack races and water balloon fights take place on Wednesday nights beginning June 10 and ending Sept. 9.
The program is free to seriously ill children and their families and provides a much needed break from chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stays, clinic procedures, and blood work which consumes most of their time. An outdoor church service begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a barbecue and other activities.
Young people from across Sonoma County are invited to participate in the Wednesday night fun, but 89 percent of those who attend are residents of West Sonoma County. The program has proved to not only be helpful to the children who are ill, but also their siblings and parents. It’s a place where parents can network with one another, discussing experiences and the latest in medical treatments, said Burke.
Kelli Olvera of Sebastopol began attending Burke’s Wednesday night event with her family years ago, and even though she lost her daughter Ana who had a brain tumor, Olvera continues to attend the event that created happy memories for her daughter.
“Burke’s event is always fun for the kids and it was huge for me, to see my daughter smile and play with the other kids when she had lost her hair and gained weight. The other kids there didn’t care. It was a great outlet and retreat,” Olvera said.
A number of fundraisers throughout the year help fund the summer program.
“The El Molino and Analy High School Leadership groups raised the money that paid for a large part of this year’s grocery bill,” Burke said.
The students will also be working as volunteers on Wednesday nights cooking, serving, cleaning and helping with the recreational games.
The Gonnella family and the Union Hotel are also a big part of Burke’s support network, hosting holiday events that raise funds for the program. Cattleman’s Restaurant and students from Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa have also pitched in, providing time and resources to Bob Burke’s Kids.
Bob Burke’s Kids’ Program operates solely by financial contributions from the public, corporations, businesses and organizations. Not one of the staff is salaried. All financial contributions go 100 percent to the children’s program.
For more information call 707-887-2222.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| City says supplies good but backs water conservation | River hangout causing problems |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of sonomawest.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
Popular Searches