When Love Box volunteer, Caley, was matched with brothers Josh & Jacob,* she committed to journey alongside them, no matter where the foster system took them. 

Going into this role, here is what Caley didn't know: 

• She didn't know that the boys would have to move homes, changing towns twice.
• She didn't know if each new placement would accept her. 
• She didn't know if the boys' biological family would view her as a help or a threat. She had no control over how she was perceived. 

Foster care is often full of unknowns and things beyond our control. What Caley could control, was her ability to be steadfast, patient, and honor everyone with her words and actions. As the boys packed their things, yet again, Caley wrote a letter for the DCYF social worker to give to the new foster parents. And then she held her breath...

I'm so happy to tell you that the foster family welcomed Caley and the Love Box. The foster mother included Caley fully on the team for the boys and kept her connected, despite the obstacles. 

This month Caley moved these boys home with some of their biological family for the first time in a long time. As life would have it, they are going to live on the other side of the water, close to where Caley has found a new job and home for Scruff & herself. She already has the bunk beds waiting. 

Caley is a Love Box leader. Behind her is the Love Box team. Behind each of her actions, each of her offerings of meals, gifts, and time, is a robust Love Box of 8 additional committed folks. She truly could not have done this without Quinn & her mom Christy, couples Leigh & Cliff, Shelli & Jason, Patty & dear Melissa. Caley begins her update emails with, "Hey Love Box Family!" This group was pieced together because of their common heart to serve children in the foster care system well. Most didn't know each other prior to saying "yes" to this adventure together. But they have cooked, babysat, tutored, driven to family visitations, celebrated and grieved together. This is what community does for its children.

Interview with Caley, World Changer & Love Box Leader

What do you wish people knew about foster care? 
How big the need is for them to be involved in some way. There is room for everyone to be a part of the village of support, to support the kids, the foster parents, and the biological families. 

What have you been able to do for the boys in your Love Box family? 
I am able to be a consistent adult that loves them and is there for them regardless of where they go. I think for them, as they’ve moved through three different homes, they always knew I was there and I was always going to be there. It gives them a person to trust who wants to be there, who isn’t paid to be there. I’m not a service. I’m an adult who loves them. 

How were you received by others?  
I think this is an important part of the story to share. Once their social worker at DCYF was able to understand that our purpose was to love these boys and stay present in their lives, it lightened the load for everyone.

We were able to help with their visitation with their parent by transporting the boys to Seattle for visits every weekend.

Their parent was able to see them in their own home. They didn’t have to come to a hotel to see them which was better for everyone. For the boys, this was a real visit with family. It was fun. We got snacks, ice cream, listened to music on the way. We had fun with it. 

What else? 
I want to be a foster parent one day. This has helped me see that I had a little more heart change and growth to do before I can fully foster successfully. By successfully, I mean I have the goal of keeping siblings together until permanency (reunification with family or adoption) is reached. I wouldn't want to have children moved from my home or separated because I wasn't ready to do the work on my end. This experience is helping to get me ready.  

What have you personally gotten out of the experience of volunteering as a Love Box Leader?  

I have grown so much in my understanding, empathy, and love towards all the parties involved. Everyone has a different story of how they got to where they are, and we all want the best for the boys. 

The perspectives are very different (various foster parents and biological family, social workers, and Love Box members), and I don't agree with some of them, but everyone is coming from a good place. I have learned that there are so many different ways to show love.

*names changed to protect privacy​

Volunteers Calah & Andrew introduced themselves to their Love Box family  with a letter. It was during the pandemic, after all, and the Love Box had been matched and trained virtually.  Andrew and Calah gave this couple what we share with you now: a cheat sheet to some Olympic Peninsula Family Adventures. This wisdom was hard won and collected among their friends, each sharing with the other what they had learned about how to have a good time, for a little bit of money while raising little people in a very wet and often chilly corner of the world. 

The foster family that Calah & Andrew were matched with were very new. New to fostering. New to Port Townsend. New to parenting in general. Soon after being licensed, they were matched in the Love Box program, just as they brought two children into their home. 

Here's the letter Andrew & Calah crafted. We hope you find some inspiration for your adventures with the families you serve, your grandchildren, and any young people in your life!

Welcome
Let us introduce ourselves, we are Calah and Andrew, members of your Love Box team.  We moved to PT when our son was 3 and our daughter was a baby. Our son is now 16 and our daughter 13.   Our families of origin are in New England, so we had to figure things out and build our own support network in Port Townsend.  We have put together a guide of places, activities, and other things that we have learned along the way. Hopefully a few of these things will be helpful for you.

Prepared for Adventure
One of the things we learned from a local nanny was to carry an adventure “Go Bag”.   She always had a backpack with everything needed for adventure in Port Townsend.  We tried to replicate it with our own.  Here are a few things that we carried in it:

• Ouch pouch/boo boo kit (Small first aid kit, mostly any size and type of band-aid)
• Pocket knife
• Foldable kite with string (always a breeze in PT)
• Calories (bars, jellybeans, etc…  you never know where a kiddo may bonk and need an incentive to continue walking)
• Rope (parachute cord works well) You can use this to construct forts, pull driftwood boots, tie things to the backpack for transport home, and many other things.
• Flashlights (exploring bunkers, under troll bridges, or other dark spots of curiosity)
• A couple of large Ziploc bags
• Mason jar with a mesh lid (Specimen collection)
• Umbrella
• Hand warmers
• Plastic ponchos 
• Backpacking towel
• Wet Wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• As the kids got older, we used our cell phones for Pokemon Go or for maps for geocaching in town. This was a great way to get them outside and started when they were “balking up”.
• We also pre-pack our car for adventures. We have foldable chairs, a small picnic table in a bag, beach blankets,  frisbee and a bag with napkins/camp plates/utensils on the ready for a quick dinner at the beach, etc. After COVID, you will find that PT people love their potlucks, so having a “mess kit” prepared is useful.

We’re sure that you will have ideas too, you two sound pretty outdoorsy!

Adventure Ideas

• Low tide at Chetzemoka Park.  At low tide there is an enormous sand bar at the park.  Little ones may need a piggy-back across the near shore rocks, beyond the rocks is a fantastic sandbar to explore.  Prepare to be wet and sandy.
• Fort Worden beach.  In our experience, the locals typically stay to the right of the pier (closer to town side).  There is always lots to do and explore at the beach. Older kids sometimes jump off the pier.
• Froggy Bottoms.  There is a small marsh/pond in happy valley (see map below).  In the Spring this area is full of little frogs.  The frogs are spectacularly green, brown and combinations in between. We spent hours here hunting frogs.
• Cappy’s Woods.  There is a huge track of forest that can provide hours of exploration.  Best way to access is to park at the track near Blue Heron Middle School, and walk along the track, past the soccer field behind the track and the trail entrance is on the right. 
• Campfire at the Fort Worden beach shelter.  Fort Worden’s beach shelter is for rent, but when it is not rented there is a fabulous fire circle that we have used in the past.  Bring marshmallows and have a fun roasting them and sitting by the fire.
• Explore the bunkers at Fort Worden.  It is important to bring flashlights for this adventure.  There are bunkers scattered throughout the park, and some provide excellent picnic areas from the roof.  
• Old Fort Townsend provides a different type of beach experience, and there are some great forest trails, and large sheltered grassy areas.
• Berry picking at Finnriver Farm in Chimacum.  Contact Janet at the farm to get details about the berry collective.  This is the most amazing farm in the valley with abundant blueberries and raspberries, bonus is many times there are pigs and other animals to go see while you are there.  This adventure pairs well with stopping at the Finnriver Cidery in Chimacum for wood fired pizza, lawn games and a walk in the orchard to see the geese.
• A trip to see the wild swans in Chimacum.  In the late winter/early spring flocks of swans will stop in the valley fields.  This is best seen from the car on Big Valley Road.  
• Exploring the tide pools at North Beach.  During low tide you can find all kinds of fantastic creatures in the tide pools.
• When there is snow in PT everyone goes to the hill immediately behind the High School and slides down into the play fields.  
• A trip to Hurricane Ridge to play in the snow.  You will be surprised by how many people you recognize on any given weekend in the winter at Hurricane Ridge.  This is a nearby spot to go sliding, build a snow fort, go snow showing, and learn to ski.  It is very welcoming, and there is a sweet lodge run by the national parks.  Call in the morning before you leave PT for road conditions up the mountain.  Also, the lot can fill early during peak season.  It is nice that there is a limited amount of people up there… when you have a parking spot. 
• One thing that we love in PT is a good parade.  Be ready for lots of Parades post-COVID.  There are a few that are very kiddo-centric: The Rhody Festival Pet Parade, The Rhody Festival Kid Parade, and the Halloween Costume Parade.  These are very sweet small town events.
• For the young ones, there is a Santa parade float that sometime travels through Uptown in early December in the evenings.  When we lived on Lawrence St, our little ones found it extremely exciting.
• Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market are so special.  Starting in the Spring we would bring the kiddos to the market and give them a few dollars to get a treat.  We would set them loose and rely on the community to help them. There are vendors that have watched the kids in town grow from tikes to adults.  Susan at the bratwurst stand is a treasure and she has been a rock for our kids since they could talk.  Janet at Finn River Farm used to save the “Freak of the Week” vegetable for our daughter.  She knew she liked the crazy looking things that were not all that saleable.  Heidi and John the coffee gypsies are also super great with the kids.
• Going to Velocity Coffee at the Northwest Maritime Center for a coffee and Bob’s Bagel, and letting the kids explore the piers and beach nearby.  Joe and the team are the best, and tell the story behind the coffee.  This is a great outdoor adventure with the comforts of a great coffee and treat.
• Lunch counter at Don’s Pharmacy.  When we are not in the COVID craziness, sitting down at the lunch counter at Don’s harkens back to a simpler time.  Well worth the cozy old-fashioned experience, and kiddos enjoy the classic fare.
• An atypical experience is to go explore the courthouse (Clock tower building) and enormous Post Office.  There are neat and interesting areas in each of these buildings if you go looking.
• The Jefferson County Museum downtown, who does not have fun locking their sibling in the old jail cell?  
• Local swimming spots.  Believe it or not, there are warmish spots to swim in the ocean.  Check out Linger Longer in Quilcene, or the pier and beach on Marrowstone Island.  Although the water is warm enough to swim at these locations, we totally recommend collecting a few old wet suits from Goodwill or Ebay.   This was a game changer for us, and we can provide other trip ideas that are further afield that can be transformed with an old wetsuit.  
• Illahee Preserve in the Fall when the salmon are spawning.  It is impressive to see the return of the salmon.  This is something that shouldn’t be missed.
• The flight museum at the airport.  This is recommendation from a friend, she and her daughter were pleasantly surprised when they went to this museum.  
• Sather Park with flashlights on a dark and stormy night.  This is a recommendation from a friend, we have not tried this one out, but it sounds wild and crazy!
• Larry Scott Trail, any piece of the trail is fun, especially when you are learning to bike.
• Speaking of bikes, the people at the Recyclery totally rock and they help supply people with upcycled bikes and the knowledge to keep them rolling.  They also offer ladies-only classes for bike repair, and kid safety classes.  
• Explore all the hidden paths that criss-cross town.  There is a maze of paths that criss-cross town, how many can you find? Where do they go? Can you find short cuts?
• North Beach at sunset.  This is a great way to unwind.  The kiddos can play and explore, and we can get a little peace watching the sun drop below the horizon.
• Glass beach, this adventure will require some piggy backs for little ones.  Start at North Beach, and start hiking to the left (away from Fort Worden).  There is a mythical spot where you can find sea glass.  We found a few spots, and the treasure hunt is fun.  Bald Eagles can be viewed in this area too.  Warning…as an out-and-back hike going out feels way shorter than the return trip.  Also, the hiking is difficult at high tide, so plan accordingly.
• HJ Carroll Park.  There is a lot to explore at HJ.  There is a pump track/BMX bike track for all ages, local plant gardens, disc golf, soccer and softball fields, and a stone labyrinth. If you explore beyond the labyrinth, there is a creek with a log to cross over the water and you can make boats out of found things and sail them down the current.
• PT Marine Science Center.  This is located at the pier in Fort Worden.  This is so much fun with little kiddos, they have touching tanks with all kinds of local sea life.  They also offer summer camps, and volunteer opportunities for teens.
• Cheesy breadsticks from Pan d’Amore.  I think that every PT kid has memories of cheesy breadsticks from the bakery.  For my kids, these were an after-school snack with some regularity.
• Going to the park office in Quilcene to get a permit to go cut a Christmas tree up in the forest.  Our experience with this adventure ended with a family story similar to National Lampoons.  We ended up cutting a tree that filled up most of the living room after endless driving on the forest roads.  Our friends still recommend experiencing this adventure at least once.  Pro tip: download Alltrails or Avenza which will turn your phone into a GPS unit, that way you can know where you are at when there is no signal.  Also, bring a sled for sliding in the snow.
• Taking a tour at Wilderbee Farm, cutting lavender bouquets, patting the goats and climbing on the tractors.
• Graysmarsh U-pick berries in Sequim.  This is a quote from a friend of ours, “Just being a kid in those berries and eating them until your stomach hurts is pretty much the best thing ever.  On my first visit (during raspberry season) it was the first time in my life I knew on a cellular level: there are enough berries. I can eat all I want and there will still be berries.  (That’s a really good feeling – to shed a persistent sense of scarcity.)”
• Explore the parks and trails on Indian and Marrowstone Island.  On Indian Island the trails are on the right as you are heading towards Marrowstone.
• Exploring Port Gamble is a fun afternoon and stopping at the Butcher and Baker is a great way to stay energized with some great food.  Also, there are hundreds of acres of mountain bike trails behind Port Gamble. 
• A perfect end to many adventures can be found at Elevated, but we are sure you probably already found that treasure, or the Courtyard Café with homemade marshmallows on your hot chocolate.
• Getting a slice of pizza at Water Street.  Picking up a slice of pizza and sitting in the plaza after school was one of my son’s favorite things to do when he was younger.
• Catching a movie at the Rose.  Pro-tip: try the stairs just outside the doors to the large cinema.  They lead to a hidden balcony; it makes you feel like you are the only family in the cinema.
• Take a ferry ride.  You can take a round trip ferry ride over to Coupeville.  Our kiddos used to love the excitement of sitting on the deck.
• When traveling out of town, we highly recommend audio books.  Our kids still love listening to audio books as a family when we road trip.  Our local library has audiobooks that you can download, and audible.com has almost everything for a price.  Roald Dahl’s books held the interest of ours kid when they were younger for many a trip. Rick Riordan has also been a family favorite for listening.

Structured Activities and Support

• Port Townsend has a slightly underground network of unusually talented and educated adults, many of whom gladly share their time and talents if asked. If you have a child with a particular interest, and you are looking for an adult to support it, never hesitate to ask around to find someone. For instance, we easily found an adult who was an expert in archery willing to help our daughter pursue that interest. Our son has been doing one-on-one coaching with a retired pro soccer player in town for years.( On the topic of soccer, if either of you are interested in fun adult pick-up games, there is a strong group that plays regularly when COVID isn’t an issue.)
• CedarRoot School.  This is a unique Olympic Peninsula institution.  They offer great programs.  Our daughter spent hours in the woods after school on Wednesdays learning about the local flora and fauna.  She also learned how to build a fire out of nothing in the wet woods.  After all these experiences she feels comfortable and competent in the outdoors.
• Port Townsend School of the Arts.  Our kiddos took many of the weekly classes, and loved their time making fantastic works of art.
• Northwest Maritime Center Summer sailing camps.  Our kiddos learned to sail and be safe in the water.  They have a great program at a reasonable price.  Sign-up late winter, classes fill quickly.
• Jefferson County Library children’s librarian Martha and her story times.  
• Swan School.  We are sure that you have already heard about the special love and family of Swan School, this is a great place for kids to learn more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.  Our kids have fond memories of their time at Swan.
• There is a Waldorf School in Hadlock called Sunfield, K-8. We have many friends whose children thrived there.
• If you are looking for a religious community, we found that the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is very welcoming. Regardless of denomination or your personal beliefs, there is a place for you.  Beau oversees the kiddo education, and he is truly a treasure.  There are few times in life that you meet someone that emotes love, safety and inclusion to little ones like Beau.  This community also provides spaces for small groups to meet.We joined a parenting covenant group when we first moved to PT.  Not only was there childcare, but we had a place to get to know other parents and share insights, successes, and failures.  This group provided a lot of support, and we are still friends to this day.  Also, this was a good place to find babysitters.
•  The Benji Project.  This is a great organization in PT that helps teens “make friends with themselves”.  They help teens navigate emotional ups and downs with greater ease by offering stress management and resiliency training using mindfulness and self-compassion.
• Twisters offers gymnastics for all ages and abilities.  Both of our kids took classes at Twisters and enjoyed their time.  They are offering a lot of support and programming for families needing extra help during school shutdowns.
• Jefferson County Soccer Club.  We have volunteered for the club for years.  If the kiddos are interested in soccer, the JCSC is a great place to start.  They are all volunteers, and are very welcoming.
• If you have a child who is interested in riding horses, Christine Headley at Heron Pond Farm and Becky Cushman at Paradigm Sporthorses both offer great programs for beginners.
• The Jefferson County Rec Center has many intro sports programs.
• There is a private swim team that usually meets at the Mountain View pool during the school year, it is a great group of coaches and kids. There are also more basic swim lessons and open swim times available at that pool (post-COVID). Many PT families venture to the Sequim Y or Bainbridge Island pool for weekend adventures in a “fancier” pool setting.​

"As I got older, I realized things I cared about from a social justice viewpoint were all related to foster care. When I learned about the Angels model it made me realize 'This is it!'"

Stephanie began as one of Olympic Angels' first volunteers. Once she was on a Love Box team and saw the impact that it made for the children and the entire family, it hit her how powerful Angels can be. "I always thought someday Angels would hire more case managers and when it happens I would love to do that part time while continuing my business. I just didn’t know it would happen so soon!" We are beyond grateful to be able to bring Stephanie onto our growing team, and be better able to serve the children on the Peninsula.  

In a conversation with Stephanie, we were able to get an inside look as to what her goals are in this new role. 

What are your top 4 skills and how do you think they will translate to this new role?
Connecting. I love connecting people. Matching mentors and volunteers with kids and families will be so rewarding. 
Teaching. I am very at home when I am teaching so I would love to teach volunteers and community members about the program and trauma-informed practices. 
Organization. I love organizing tasks like bookkeeping. There are a lot of moving parts in this program to keep organized so I am excited to dive in. 
Vulnerability. I'm comfortable talking about sensitive topics openly and encouraging vulnerability.

If you could snap your fingers, what problem in the world would you solve and why?
Inequality. If we had an equitable playing field many of the other problems in the world would start to resolve themselves.

What criteria do you use for evaluating success?
My personal success is based on my quality of life & joy. Evaluating Olympic Angels' success would be based on reaching every kid in the local foster community and doing better every year.

“I just get to be a consistent person who cares what happens to them.”

Elsa has been matched with her Dare to Dream teen for about two months but they've been connected much longer through our partner organization, Foster Supports of Jefferson County. The two have been able to create a lifelong connection that is based on consistency and safety. Our Dare to Dream program offers an opportunity to individually serve an aged-out or at-risk to age out youth in foster care. Our mentors are advocates, teachers, guides, role models, valued friends, and available resources.

We had the opportunity to share some time with Elsa and ask a few questions about her experience as a mentor and how she has been impacted. Here is what Elsa had to say: 

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A DARE TO DREAM MENTOR?
I liked the idea of being a friend to a teen that is getting their life ready to launch.  For them there has not been much consistency with a person who has belief in them.  I am honored that they said yes to this relationship.

WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT DO YOU PROVIDE YOUR YOUTH?
In regular meetups,  I am telling them by my actions that I follow through and think they are fun to be with.  We talk about what they want to discuss and I make sure I focus on them.  We have looked into how to apply for a job and met the personnel man at Carl’s Lumber.  We have talked a lot about school, helped them get registered and what school means to them.  I attended their IEP, met his family,  and I fed them what they wanted! 

HOW DOES BEING A MENTOR IMPACT YOUR YOUTH AND YOURSELF?
They seem to be happy when I come see them and they teach me about Magic, the Gathering.  They were quite happy to see their former speech teacher who is a friend of mine.  Being a mentor helps define our relationship, I don’t have to fix them or the system they are in…I just get to be a consistent person who cares what happens to them.

WHAT’S MOST DIFFICULT OR FRUSTRATING ABOUT BEING A MENTOR?
Trying to reach them.  They do not have minutes on their phone and they do not answer emails.  We do have a consistent meeting time at home where we both are each time. 

WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT BEING A MENTOR?
Their smile and willingness to be involved with an adult who cares.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT FOSTER CARE?
No matter what the situation is it is very tough to not have a family that you can count on to see you through life.  At 16, they have a roof over their head and love from a family member but are missing so many pieces.  They have had many extremely rough times that have left scars.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE US TO KNOW?
Foster care can provide what a person needs to grow and develop especially when the community surrounds you by guiding you through these various stages of life.  Each person in our larger community can contribute something to a foster child that completes the picture. It is not hard to love a child or teen and give yourself to see another blossom.

​

Olympic Angels is founded on the vision that every young person in foster care deserves healthy, affirming, and lasting relationships with trusted adults. 

Our belief is that if the harm came to children in relationships than that is where the healing will happen as well. We all can do something to improve foster care for children. Most of the work to be done is relationship work. Work that is done by committed adults showing up again and again and again to remind children that their lives matter. This is slow work and the most important kind. 

We are watching in amazement as healthy relationships with committed volunteers change the actual experience of the foster care system for our children. In our small corner of the world, the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, it turns out that community involvement was what was missing from the foster care system. 

Our goal for 2021 is to see TWICE the number of children matched with their someone this year. Our annual campaign is called Who's Your Someone to keep relationships at the center of all we do. We know that for every dollar raised, we get closer to matching more children with their Someone in the coming year. 

In this spirit, we asked for the Olympic Angels community to reflect back on who was someone who showed up in their own personal journey to adulthood. We asked you to tell us what they did for you. How they changed your path. We got back a soulful response from so many of you.

​We wanted to share some of your stories here: 

.
When I was 19 I hit a fork in my path.  It was impossible to imagine what could be ahead and I had no shortage of strong women in my life, but none of them had taken a path that I could picture myself on.  Until I met Olga Ganoudis Designs, the first jeweler I worked for.  She had her own business as an artist.  She was fun, outspoken and passionate.  Olga is an incredibly motivated and motivating woman.  I say how much work she put into running her business and rather than scaring me away from that path, it lit a fire under me.
In the years that I worked for Olga I learned about making jewelry and running a business.  But more importantly, she was the person who opened up my imagination to potential futures fo myself that I hadn't been able to see before.  She was the person who made those possiblities, and the steps to get there, seemed doable.
For teens aging out of foster care, the obstacles are vase and plenty.  Rarely do they have that person to help them imagine their future or navigate the steps forward. - Stephane Selle

My mom met Justine when I was only 1 years old in a mother's group and they quickly became best friends.  My mom was a single mother and we had no extended family that lived near us.  So Justine would babysit me.  Her kids quickly became my best friends.  I spent countless hours at her house even when she wasn't on babysitting duty.
Justine lived in a better school district and for a few years we used her address as my home address so I could attend a better elementary and junior high school.  Lots of times I would go there after school on Friday and stay until Sunday evening.  Her home became my second home.
When I was 10 my dad got a different job and had to move from Florida to Tennessee.  I can remember being at Justine's shortly after he told me he was moving and crying in her arms.
Justine's house was the best place to be.  Full of good snacks, fun and tons of kids.  All of her kids' friends were always there and she let them use it as a safe haven when their own family lives were complicated.  When I was 16 I was dealing with heartbreak, other teenage emotions and drama with my own mom.  I felt so low and so bad about myself I contemplated doing dangerous/bad things.  I drove to Justine's and told her all of this and how I wanted to live with her.  Her and my mom had a long talk and I got to "live" with her for a week as she talked sense into me and helped me deal with everything.
Justine and her kids were my "village".  Her daughters were the sisters I never had.  I am so blessed that I had Justine to lean on and love me as her own. - Joy Johnson

Growing up with two much older siblings and a widowed, hard working mother, I was a latchkey kid!  Thankfully I found a second family in our neighbors, the Woodgates.  The three daughters, stay-at-home mother, and Nana welcomed me almost every school day when I came home with Virginia, the middle girl.  They always included me, and we had many great times.  We even made a laughing record on their old phonograph.  When Tim and I married Mr. Woodgate, Vernon, flew to Chicago and walked me down the aisle.  The Woodgate family changed my life. - Jan White

When I was little, Beau used to pick me up and carry me. He would lay me down on a hay bale and then pick me up again because it made me laugh.  He did this so many times that he made it so he couldn't even pick up a cup of water - his arms were so sore.  When my dog and cat died he came over to be with me.
One time my mom and I came back from a yard sale and we got a Belgian waffle maker, and Beau & I were picking raspberries to eat on the waffles.  Then bald faced hornets attacked and Beau saved me and got two stings on his biceps and I didn't get one blemish.
When I was starting kindergarten, I had a hard time leaving my mom.  So Beau would drive me to school and my mom would give me a lollypop so I had my lollypop for something to suck on while Beau would drive and he would place the same song every morning - it's sort of our song - Don't Stop Believing.
Every year on the first Saturday of November it's Beau & K day.  The first Beau & K day, we made crowns out of construction paper.  We wore our Beau & K crowns all day.  This year when we went to Beau and K day it was usual Beau and K day except for one thing - we had the BEST PIZZA at this restaurant in Bremerton.  This year we wore sashes.  One year we wore badges.
Every Wednesday Beau picks me up from school and we hang out from 12-3.  And once a month I get to pick a place to go out for lunch.
He's my godfather and that's how it became Mama-Dada-Beau instead of just Mama-Dad.  - Kenenisa Hanna