Letter: Please share your mentoring story

A few weeks ago I was reading one of my favorite books - The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers. I have always admired Fred Rogers because to me, he was the "genuine article"; an honest, straight-forward man who truly cared about people, especially children. As I read the book I came to know how Mister Rogers remembered his own mentors and passed on those values to the millions of individuals he himself reached. He would, in his many addresses and acceptance of awards, ask those who were listening to take time to remember those in their lives who had accepted them and cherished them for who they were.

January is National Mentoring Month and I have a favor to ask.

I am hoping, for the benefit of Lakewood's Promise, to gather together some unique mentoring stories. We have all had those who in our youthful years gave us hope and encouragement and set us on a particular path that has affected us to this day. Whether these mentors were coaches, pastors, teachers, relations or friends - they have made us who we are and we give back to others, to a degree because of them. Lakewood's Mentoring Stories will honor their commitment and hopefully inspire other adults to make similar positive differences in children's lives.

Could you take some time, remember, reflect and write down a story of a mentor that helped you? It doesn't have to be a long story - but it could be. It should just be from the heart.

I created a form on the Lakewood's Promise Website so your story can be easily sent to me. Yes - you can be Anonymous if you choose. I will format the stories for the web post them back on the site for others to read and possibly be inspired. I know I will be!

Thanks for helping me out.

Happy New Year!

Kurt Sample
Coordinator, Lakewood's Promise

Be Sociable, Share!

•