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Santa Rosa, CA
Some of the children in the Santa Rosa Corps’ parking lot with Captain Ian Robinson (r) and TAM Assistant Michael Ortelle (l). |
The Santa Rosa Corps’ Tutoring and Mentoring program ended its summer day camp with a bang. It was the sound of 24 brand new donated bicycles crashing into one another as their new owners rode around the corps’ parking lot. Under the watchful eye of Officer Messerschmidt of the Santa Rosa Police Department and TAM Director, Jennifer Freitas, no damage was done!
The bikes were given anonymously, and for some children are the first they have ever owned. All riders were given new helmets courtesy of the Santa Rosa Police and the Santa Rosa Corps, and a brief course in safe riding. The event marked the end of another successful year for the TAM program, which, in the fall, will expand into a second elementary school, doubling the potential participation to 100 boys and girls.
Corps Officers Captains Ian and Isobel Robinson were on hand to celebrate the occasion, and local television news station, KFTY Channel 50, recorded the excitement. “One of the most exciting offshoots of the TAM program has been the Bible Club,” said Captain Robinson. “Every Monday about 70 boys and girls meet in two public school classrooms and have Sunday school! In the three years since the program began, over 80 children have made decisions for Christ.” That’s what all the excitement’s about!
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