Volunteer Spotlight Summer 2021

Volunteer Name: Amy "Boots" King

Volunteering with Candlelighters Since: 2015

Volunteer Projects with Candlelighters this summer include: Tween Time counselor and Camp Independent Firefly Counselor. Boots logs in to these programs virtually from across the country, spending an hour every week connecting with our kiddos online and leading fun activities for them.

Volunteer Projects with Candlelighters prior to this summer include: Camp Independent Firefly every year since 2015, Superhero 5K

Share a meaningful memory of volunteering: I will always remember my first year at camp. I was just as nervous as some of the kids arriving at Camp Whittle. Whether it was their first year or their 7th, every child that walked down the stairs of the bus looked a little uneasy, a little nervous, but also had a sparkle of excitement to be at the happiest place on earth. I cheered with joy with my fellow counselors in my VELMA costume, spraying the busses with our super soakers, and giving these kids the best entrance to the best week of the year. Then it hit me. I was going to be part of these kids' memories forever. I have this chance to make these kids feel like kids! I have the opportunity to shape how these little humans treat each other and leave their impact on the world. So I did! My co-counselors, campers, and everyone on that mountain had the best week of our lives. We shared smiles, shared genuine connections, and made forever memories. And then, we got to do it AGAIN the next year and what’s even better is that the campers that we impacted came back as counselors to make their impact. As much as Camp Independent Firefly does for our kiddos, it does the same for the grown-ups. I am forever grateful and forever a camp counselor!