Adopt-A-Teen
This
is the last article that Rusty Mac wrote about the "Adopt a
Teen for Christmas" program that he started to provide
Christmas for teens served by The Exchange Club Carl Perkins
Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
It was published in the City News in December of
2003. Since his
death in March of 2004, this program has been re-named in
his honor and memory and is now the "Rusty Mac Adopt-a-Teen
Program".
Adopt a Teen for Christmas
By
Rusty Mac
It's
true, the older you get the faster time seems to pass.
It's hard to believe that my son, Seth Adam, would
have turned 21 this year.
I can't help but wonder what we'd be doing if he had
lived. We might
be preparing for a wedding, or maybe he'd be giving me a
lecture about spoiling my grandchild with too many Christmas
presents. I
might even be wondering if he'd make it home for the
holidays from Iraq.
These things I'll never know.
One thing I do know, however, is that it's time to
start thinking about the kids who are still here - the ones
who need someone to help make their holiday season happy,
and maybe spoil them a little.
The following is a reprint of an article that was
featured in this publication last year.
Try as I might I haven't been able to come up with
anything that explains the "Adopt-A-Teen for Christmas"
drive any better.
If you missed it last year, please take a moment to
read it. If you
read it last year, please refresh your memory.
I humbly ask for your help and your prayers for
another successful effort.
_________________________________________
Radio, as I’m sure some of you know, is a crazy business.
One of the things that has kept me in it all these
years is the opportunity it affords me to make a difference
in my community.
How big a difference is debatable I'm sure, but I try to do
the best I can.
Anyway, a few years ago, I found myself alone for the first
time in a long time at Christmas.
I had just been through a divorce and was already
bearing a striking resemblance to "Scrooge" - so I was
looking for a way to make a difference.
The station I work for, WYN-106.9, had been doing a
toy drive for the Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Center for the
Prevention of Child Abuse for several years and I always
helped with that, but I wanted something personal...something
that was mine. I
needed a new challenge.
After I returned from my
enlistment in the Navy, I was blessed with a son.
A beautiful baby boy my wife and I named Seth Adam.
On the day of his birth the doctors said he was
perfectly healthy.
I was sitting on Cloud 9.
Three days later I was in freefall.
My beautiful baby boy had developed unforeseeable
problems and before we knew it, he was with the angels.
The first year, since he would have been a teen if
he'd been with me, I decided to provide a Happy Christmas
for a teenage boy in his memory.
I really don't remember who
I talked to specifically, but it was determined that $100
would cover the need.
Then, the social worker I was working with asked if I
would like to go on the shopping spree for my teenager.
It was one of the best holiday seasons I had spent in
years. It then
occurred to me, there had to be more teens in need and sure
enough there were - seventeen that year.
I got on the air, begged for help and sweated
bullets, but our neighbors came through and continue to year
after year.
Over time the need has
grown. We now
collect for more than 100 teens each year.
And just like that first year, I beg and sweat
bullets because $10,000 is a lot of money.
But, I simply can't stand the thought of a child
disappointed on Christmas morning.
I'm sure that, nationwide, teens would tell you they
aren't children.
But I'm just as sure that their hearts would break if they
thought no one cared, especially at this time of year...no
matter how tough they act.
Now it's time for the
begging and sweating to begin again.
I always take the first one, because I won't ask you
to do something I don't do myself.
If you have a place in your heart, and can muster up
$100, I want to ask you to join me in making a wish come
true this Christmas.
Maybe you can get your friends and co-workers
involved.
Whatever you can do will be deeply appreciated.
Just be sure to make the
check out to the Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Center for the
Prevention of Child Abuse and specify that it's for the
"Adopt-A-Teen for Christmas" fund.
Somewhere a little angel will be smiling, and his
Daddy will be forever grateful.
God Bless,
Rusty Mac
We know that you have a heart for helping
those who are less fortunate.
As a sponsor of the Rusty Mac Adopt a Teen program,
you have the power to make the holiday wishes of one or more
of the teens served by the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins
Center for the Prevention
of Child Abuse come true.
That is why we are asking for your help
This year, 2009, we have 147
teenagers with wish lists, and we need your help to make
their wishes come true.
The staff knows what these teens want, but they need
the funds to make it happen.
For $100, you can guarantee one teen feels loved and
supported this holiday season.
Or you may wish for your club, group or fellow
employees to impact numerous families by sponsoring several
teens collectively.
Either way, please know your support creates such joy
in the hearts of the Center staff, volunteers and,
ultimately, the teenager receiving the gifts.
Please contact Julie McMahon at (731) 668-4000 or
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