Melinda has a heart for kids.  Melinda Mayton is a nurse practitioner and RN who worked for more than a decade in the pediatric cancer unit of a hospital in Atlanta.  After witnessing cancer’s heavy toll on kids and families, Melinda created Blue Skies Ministries.  This year, Blue Skies held 4 retreats as a part of its core ministry.  The goal of each 7-day retreat is to create a week “where skies are blue” for these families who are walking through a battle with cancer.

To pull off the retreat, Blue Skies needs smart organization, great enthusiasm, and lots of volunteers.  (Our family had a chance to volunteer last week.)  Our team served 11 children and their families.  In total, there were about 75 guests and 75 volunteers. Volunteer families matched up with guest families to give them a break from the routine of hospitals and white walls.  Replace that with sand, sun, water balloons, pirate parties, a parade, and soccer matches, lessons in guitar or art or cooking…lots of activities for the kids.  Volunteers cooked meals, cleaned the guests’ condos, provided special touches like turndown service with personalized notes and treats.  The parents were appreciative and touched.

For these kids who are undergoing treatment or have recently completed treatment, their focus was to have fun.  Be normal.  Laugh & play with peers.  What was the most valuable asset we volunteer families brought to the beach?  Our kids.  They mixed into a massive ball of fun and energy – the kids had a blast.  And, the parents relaxed and recharged.

These kids have courage – inspiring, breathtaking courage!  I could share story after story – amazing brave souls!  They had an impact on me; that’s for sure.

Special thanks to Velociteach for supporting Blue Skies in two ways: (1) financial support of this not-for-profit, and (2) some paid time off for me to volunteer to a worthy cause.  Well done!