first learned about Camp Smile-A-Mile (Camp SAM), at Children’s Harbor, Alabama, while attending a boat show at Lake Hartwell, Georgia, four years ago. Dixieland members Lawton and Nell Cowart of Lanett, Alabama, told us about an activity that was near and dear to their hearts – a boat and vintage car show put on as a fundraiser for a camp for children with cancer. It’s organized by Corrine Hurst, a Blue Ridge chapter member who is a human dynamo. With his voice quavering ever so slightly, Lawton told about a young girl with braces on her legs who created a small scratch on the interior of their boat, Paper Lady.

I decided then I was going to do what I could to help my chapter, Sunnyland, reach out to those who are less fortunate. Also to encourage the entire ACBS membership to “think outside the box” and share their antique and classic boats with those who are suffering from a serious illness.

Lawton later wrote: “A harbor is a place of safety that boats retreat to in times of peril. Children’s Harbor is just such a place for kids. Camp SAM has a recreational program for children with cancer; the Dixieland Chapter and other members of ACBS come to give rides to these children. For a while they can forget the problems facing them and we boaters get to play at our favorite hobby – old wooden boats – and leave with a warm feeling knowing that we played a part in bringing a smile to their faces.

While Nell and I were taking children for rides one year, we noticed one girl in particular. We were wondered if she would be there next year. A year later we were giving rides, looking at the faces, searching... and there she was! She rode with us the next four years. This year she was missing. Being concerned, we asked about her and we learned, happily, that this year the camp was divided into older and younger campers. Our girl had moved to the older group.

Another camper we met was Andrew who was about 6 years old and small for his age. Andrew was a delightful child who told us he was in remission. He got into Paper Lady and wanted to sit with Nell. She held him on her lap so he could see better. When we returned to the dock to take other campers for a ride, he didn’t want to get out of the boat, so he rode with us every trip. During the rides he said he’d overheard the older boys talking about the pirate’s treasure hidden on one of the many islands of Lake Martin and that he hoped to find it. I asked Andrew what he would do with the treasure if he found it. His Dad was a mechanic, he said, who didn’t make a ‘lot of money’, so he would buy a really nice house for his family. When the rides were over and Andrew went back to Camp SAM, Nell and I looked at each other knowing we had just been blessed by meeting such a fine young man.”

Another reflection comes from Jennifer Mosher of Duluth, Georgia, a member of the Blue Ridge Chapter and an independent group called the Atlanta Wooden Boat Association, where she serves as president. The AWBA hosted a day on Lake Oconee for children and families from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Brain Tumor Foundation for Children.

Jennifer writes: “Are we doing this for the children or for ourselves? There’s no clear-cut answer. The two, in my opinion, go hand in hand. Yes, we’re providing some ‘special’ kids with a fun day, but in return these kids are providing us with their smiles, their laughter, their hugs, and they’re letting us remember the pure joy of simply being a child experiencing something new and exciting for the first time. We are able to view our world of wooden boats through their eyes and it gives me a new vision about our hobby, our passion and our love of wooden boats. We’re given the chance to share our passion with a special child and I think it makes us all the better for meeting these kids.”

As Richard J. Russell said: “I would encourage all chapters to find a worthwhile organization and get involved. The rewards will far outweigh the hassle. It’s never too late to become involved. Trust me, the first time a child smiles at you or gives you a hug – it’s all worth it. It makes you forget all your problems and helps you realize how truly blessed you are. I know I am a better person for allowing these kids into my heart and can only hope that they benefited a much as I have.”

The mission of another organization, the Boggy Creek Gang Camp, is to enrich the lives of children who have chronic and life-threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound. Last May, Sunnyland Chapter hosted 55 children, family members, and some camp staff members for a day of boating on the Harris Chain of Lakes and a picnic at a lakeside restaurant. In all, we had 105 in attendance.

Just seeing the smiles on the faces of the children, some of whom had never been on a boat before, enriched everyone’s lives. Many owners brought their boats to a slow speed and asked if they would like to take the wheel What joy radiated from their faces! Because next day was Mothers’ Day, each child was given a flower to present to his/her mother. This small act brought a lump to the throat of many of our chapter members.

All Sunnyland members agreed that if we had helped these parents and children to forget for just a little while that their family was battling a terrible enemy, then it was well worth the effort. Some may say that antique boat owners are placing themselves and their boats at risk in the event of a mishap. Yes, that is perhaps true. However, should we not go forward with some amount of faith that the joy that we share with another human being far outweighs the possibility of a mishap? We did require all boat owners to have proof of insurance before they participated. Just a photocopy of the front page of the policy showing their coverages was all we required.

We would encourage other chapters of this great organization to consider reaching out to those less fortunate. This should be part of our purpose, a part of our mission. We have so much to share with others!