Camp founders teach Canton kids the real meaning of charity

Dear Editor:

In a world of “bus bullies” and “me against you” reality TV, the town of Canton has Mike and Judy Mahan. Mike and Judy have their own children and grandchildren, and full-time jobs, which is enough to keep us all more than busy and self-involved.

What Mike and Judy have given to the town of Canton for 23 years is the concept of looking beyond your own backyard. Their ultimate goal and message has been giving back to people who have no one else to turn to — the elderly, the handicapped, those devastated by disaster — people you would have never known existed if you had not reached out and found them.

Mike and Judy created St. Gerard’s Kids’ Camp to bring teenagers to give all these people hope. They bring these young people to places to help those less fortunate, and in the process demonstrate for them how very fortunate they are.

The town owes a tremendous debt to Mike and Judy and everyone who has worked with them over the years for giving Canton the kind of kids who understand that charity starts at home, but from there, the opportunities are endless.

Sincerely,

Kate Cunningham