Chapter 23
Betty and Joe wanted Mary to experience college life to the fullest. They encouraged her to live in the dorm on campus at Stanford. Joe convinced Mary that it was the wisest choice, even though he would miss seeing her each day.
As the summer ended, Mary and Joe spent every available moment together. They both agreed to go slowly in their relationship. Joe wanted Mary to put her college education ahead of everything else.
When the time came for Mary to leave for school, it was hard for her to say goodbye to her brothers and sisters. She hugged her mom goodbye and then she drove to Stanford with Joe following her in his car, to help her take all of her things to the dorm.
After Mary was unpacked and settled in to her dorm room, she and Joe took a walk around campus and then ate lunch together.
When it was time for Joe to go back to San Francisco, Mary became very sad, as she did not want him to leave. Joe told her that they could talk on the phone every night and she would be coming home on most weekends.
Mary e-mailed her mother and Joe every day and tried to e-mail her siblings as often as she could. Mary and Joe talked to each other every night by phone. It was the last thing Mary did before going to sleep.
Meanwhile, back in San Francisco, the rest of the kids were getting settled in at school as well.
Matt was a junior in high school. He was the editor of the school paper and was on the basketball and track teams. He was getting excellent grades because he was studying as hard as he could. He dated occasionally, but did not have a steady girlfriend until the end of his junior year, and that girl was the one that he would eventually marry one day.
Mark was in the 8th grade and was very popular with the girls. He was the quarterback on the football team as well as the class president. In wood shop, he made his mother a magazine rack out of oak. He was also in Boy scouts and would be confirmed in the spring.
Luke was in the 6th grade. He was struggling with his dyslexia, but he was determined to overcome it. He loved to cook and got straight A’s in Home Economics class. He did a lot of the cooking at home as well and could cook better than Betty or Joe. He made gourmet meals that were also healthy, and the family loved them. He was still in the Boy Scouts as well.
John was in the 4th grade. He loved camping and was in the Cub scouts. Paul was in the 2nd grade and the twins were in preschool.
On the first Saturday in October, Joe had a surprise for the family. When Mary arrived home from Stanford, Joe drove everyone to the city hall. Matt kept asking Joe what the surprise was, but Joe would not even give a hint.
When they arrived at the city hall, there were reporters and camera crews from all of the local television stations as well as a lot of official looking people in suits.
Joe led the family into the building to a room where many chairs were set up. Joe led them to seats near the front of the room facing the podium. The room was crowded with people.
The room became quiet as the mayor of San Francisco went to the podium and began to speak. “Four years ago, two teenagers with grand dreams and big hearts, founded an organization to help bring joy to underprivileged children in San Francisco at Christmas.
In the past four years, this organization has raised over twenty five million dollars, which has been used to provide toys and clothes to thousands of children in the San Francisco area.
Today, we are here to honor these two young people. Mary and Matt Rogers, would you both join me up here at the podium?” Everybody started cheering and clapping as Mary and Matt walked up to the podium.
As the mayor shook hands with Mary and Matt, he told them “Matt and Mary, you have gotten the entire community involved in helping our children. I would like to publicly thank you both as well as all of the teenagers and adults who have helped with this great endeavor. Matt and Mary, we have a very special surprise for you.”
At that point, the governor of California approached the podium and shook hands with Mary and Matt. “Matt and Mary,” he began, “It is my pleasure to inform you, that starting this Christmas season, Kids Caring for Kids is going statewide.
This year, cities all over the state of California will be collecting money, toys and clothing for the needy children of California. Thousands of teenagers and adults across this great state will be bringing joy to tens of thousands of needy children.
Those children will have the two of you to thank for a Christmas to remember. Would you like to say anything?” Matt stepped up to the microphone and spoke on behalf of Mary and himself.
“We would like to thank you for your kind words, Governor, but it is not us that you should be thanking. Hundreds of teens and adults all over the San Francisco area have worked hundreds of hours to make this happen.
Merchants and generous donors from all over San Francisco have opened their hearts and have donated money, clothing and toys to Kids Caring for Kids or KCK as it is now known”.
Matt and Mary received a standing ovation and they felt like they were walking on clouds. They had talked of KCK going statewide and someday nationwide. After the applause died down, Matt added one more thing.
“When Mary and I started KCK four years ago, we dreamed of the day when it would go statewide and someday nationwide. Now, there is only one part of our dream yet to achieve. ‘Today; the state of California, tomorrow; the USA’. Thank you for your continued support.”
Afterwards, Matt and Mary agreed to be interviewed, because they knew the publicity would help their message reach more people throughout the state. They were right. That year, KCK raised over fifty million dollars statewide, which helped over 250,000 needy children. It was definitely a Christmas to remember.
To Love, Honor and Cherish Page 23