Eight year old Raymond Clark has many gifts, including the gift of giving. His giving spirit was evidenced last Christmas when he spent part of the $100 he was given by his 15 year old mentor, Chelsey Grote, on Christmas presents for his sister Sarah and “children in the hospital.” Some of the children selected to receive Raymond’s presents were Sanford Children’s Hospital patients four year old Seth Fennema and five year old Micah Fennema, brothers who were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) just eight days apart. True to his nature, the present Raymond gave Seth cost more than the one he purchased for himself!
Raymond’s generosity has touched many lives, including that of an anonymous donor who was inspired to sponsor this year’s Christmas shopping trip. On Tuesday, December 23, 2008, Raymond went shopping again. This time he had $100 to spend on gifts for himself and his sister Sarah, and an additional $150 to purchase gifts for children in the hospital. After his afternoon shopping spree at Walmart, he proudly delivered his gifts to children at Sanford Children’s Hospital. Certified Child Life Specialists helped distribute the presents to children on Christmas Day.
A Children’s Miracle Network child, Raymond has been defying the odds since birth. Raymond was born with an abnormally small left side of his heart and experienced three open heart surgeries before the age of three. While his family hoped for a heart transplant, Raymond’s young body eventually built up antibodies that would reject a new heart.
Since that time, Raymond’s parents, Mike and Amy Clark, have been faced with a grim diagnosis. Despite that diagnosis, Raymond is an active second grader at Tri-Valley Elementary and celebrated his 9th Christmas by shopping for children in the hospital. Raymond continues to defy odds and is a living testament to the power of giving and appreciating the blessings of each day.
Thank you Raymond; you are truly an inspiration! |
