Almost 30 kids ran, jumped, kicked balls and generally wore
themselves out under the summer sun last week, making the most of
their energy and enthusiasm.
Almost 30 kids ran, jumped, kicked balls and generally wore themselves out under the summer sun last week, making the most of their energy and enthusiasm.
Their play has meaning. Brought together by Morgan Hill teens Olivia Mountz and Lauren Hunsaker, both 16, these 29 children were “playing for the kids who can’t.” The more than $2,000 in proceeds from the “Kids 4 Kids” charity camp was used to purchase toys for ill children at the University of California-San Francisco’s pediatric hospital.
The impetus for the camp was a visit to their longtime friend Preston Omaleki, 16, while he was admitted there for his fifth open heart surgery about six months ago.
Omaleki was in the last room in the pediatric unit. Mountz and Hunsaker, who attend Presentation High School in San Jose, walked past room after sterile room, spying children hooked up to machines pumping their chests and helping them breath.
“We always knew he had a really bad situation, but when you’re older, it hits you so much more,” Mountz said. “It was such a surreal, unexplainable moment. You’re not used to seeing him that way. You’re so used to that kid you played on the playground with and then you go there and… shocked would be the word.”
Omaleki estimated he’s spent about two months of his life so far in the hospital, enduring surgeries, checkups and more.
Mountz and Hunsaker couldn’t believe how few toys the children had to take them away from the stark reality of the hospital. And, always being athletic themselves, they were even more thankful for their health and ability.
The idea for Kids 4 Kids Camp, where children would “play for the kids who can’t,” was born. From 9 a.m. to noon each day last week, children learned the basics of team sports, games and activities, ranging from tag to volleyball to a water balloon fight. High school and college-trained athletes volunteered, and camp sponsors included Target, Safeway and Jamba Juice.
“They wanted to give toys to the kids that are in the hospital,” Bianca Bellistri, 6, explained. “If they don’t get toys they’ll be sad.”
Connor Riordan, 10, said playing outdoors just feels good.
“It’s always fun no matter what day. We do a wide variety of games,” Riordan said.
“I think that it’s kind of sad that (kids in the hospital) want to go out and play” but can’t, he added thoughtfully.
Four-year-old Ryan Murray said he liked playing outside “because it makes you stronger and you get bigger every day.
“And faster if you’re running,” he said. “I like playing, and it makes you stronger.”
Don’t take Ryan’s word for it. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children who exercise are less likely to be overweight and more likely to have healthy cardio-respiratory function and blood pressure, along with a host of other cognitive and emotional benefits.
According to Ryan’s mom Sheri Murray, they also sleep better, too.
“It’s been a great camp. They’ve been so organized. I think it’s important for the kids to learn about that, too. He comes home so excited, and then he naps because he’s exhausted,” Murray said.
Omaleki said when he heard about the camp Mountz and Hunsaker devised, he was touched.
“I was amazed that they were doing it,” Omaleki said, overlooking a group of spry kids tossing around a volleyball on the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center’s turf field.
“When you look, you see they’re having fun, and they say that they love being here,” Omaleki said. “It opens up your mind to further ideas of how to help.”
Last weekend, Mountz and Hunsaker bought seven carts’ worth of toys, from video games to beauty supplies, to deliver to the hospital Monday. Mountz said they planned to continue the camp each summer.
