We All Benefit - Week of Oct. 2nd

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~Winston Churchill

“It's easier to take than to give. It's nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime.” ~Joan Marques

One of our anticipated fall events finally arrived this week: the Brody's Be Cafe Benefit!  It is the only annual fundraiser for the cafe where Cam held his first job this past summer.  Many items were ready for the live and silent auction.  A recap of the listings can be viewed here: https://bebenefit.cbo.io

Cameron was very proud to have a basket created in his honor.  Each "Berista" had a silent auction created for them based upon their favorite things.  Cam's signage read: 

Hi my name is Cam!

I started working at Brody's this summer and love working the hot dog cart and greeting lots of people. I'm told I have a smile no one can match.

Some of my favorite things are my nonprofit work at Lori's Voice, Brody's, & Renew Mobility. 

I love to hang out with my friends, play baseball and eating at Culvers.

Did you know I play on a Miracle League Baseball Team?

Oma and Opa braved the rain to make their way to Grand Rapids Thursday afternoon for the big event.  Cam was so happy they could attend.  Jane is a board member and was busy printing materials over the past few weeks and assisting with setup.  Chris was assigned to help out with audio and visual.  Cameron had the honor of greeting people as they made their way into the live auction setting at the community church adjacent to the cafe.  Food and drink were catered by local establishments and thankfully, the rain subsided for our event.  

There were over 300 attendees and 94 items to bid on. The entire evening was a big success and our family was a part of the memorable experience. Cam's basket had a winning bid of $210!  Oma tried take it home, but she was outbid. Since it was a late evening, we all slept in the next morning and drove Cam to school so he wouldn't have to wake up too early.

It felt like fall on Friday with the temperatures taking a dive.  Oma and Opa stayed with us for two nights and we enjoyed white chicken chili and cornbread for our Friday night supper.  Cam's last baseball game was scheduled for Saturday a.m. but it was canceled due to rainy, windy conditions.  In the early afternoon, Oma and Opa headed back to Grand Haven and we were so thankful for the extra time with them.  Chris, Jane and their son were on their way northward to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with our cousins and family friends.

Many of us tried our first bite of a Canadian staple, poutine.  French fries, cheese curds and hot gravy make up this popular dish. They even serve it at McDonald's and Burger King in Canada.

Our 26lb turkey with all of the fixings left us all feeling a bit stuffed!

The weather didn't cooperate for any outdoor time.

Cam's younger cousins found plenty of things to stay occupied inside. Cameron also thoroughly enjoys being the older cousin and playing the self-appointed role of oversight manager.

Camology Quotes:

Cam's parents have told him a few times (or a hundred) that he is somewhat of an expert eavesdropper. Seemingly private conversations are overheard by Cameron's targeted listening skills.  As we teased him about his uncanny ability to hear things that potentially were not intended for his ears, he provided a straightforward response.

"Well, I think eavesdropping is just the nature of who you are."