Ron,
The letter goes to Julie Jenkins, TCMA for taking Molly and her Camp
Challenge kids to Whirlpool Cave a couple of weeks ago. It's not a TSA
project or event, it's a TCMA event and
I have done this event for the past 3 years. Bill Russell usually helps out
and was the original contact to Molly Bittinger, Craig Bittinger's (old
timer caver, now living in Hawaii) daughter who is a teacher/couselor at
the School for the Blind.
Ron, pls forward that letter to the TCMA mailbox at: PO Box 202853, Austin,
TX 78722-2853.
Thanks, I'm very happy that they have TCMA as a contact for an incredible
experience, not just for the kids, but for me, as well. It's wonderful,
amazing and very humbling. It makes me take stock of all the gifts I have
in life, one being my sight! The kids are amazing, curious and fearless,
the toughest challenge for them is the entrance ladder, as one might
imagine, blind folks have very little use for ladders. They are terrific in
the cave! We've never even had anyone so much as stumble, or trip and fall.
They're incredibly tactile and thus feeling all the neat rock, with all of
its nuances is a thrill for them. Wonderful is the best description I have
for the experience!
thanks for sending this notice out to cavetex. I'll call Molly and let her
know we received it. There are photos, which I can make available if folks
are interested.
julie jenkins
VP, TCMA
At 11:22 AM 7/2/2005 -0500, Ron Ralph wrote:
Cavers,
As you may or may not know, I collect TSA mail from the UT PO box on
campus. I just opened a letter from the Texas School for the Blind and
Visually Impaired dated June 20, 2005 and signed by Phil Hatlen,
Superintendent and Molly Birrell, Teacher. They wish to thank the Texas
Speleological Association for contributing a free caving experience for
the summer school students in the Camp Challenge program. They further say
that gifts like yours provide us with the opportunity to enrich the lives
of children in special ways.
To those of you who participated in this event, I would like to thank you
personally and on behalf of the Texas Speleological Association for your
contribution of time and labor to make this experience memorable to these
students. You give us all a good name.
The original letter has been sent to TSA secretary Jerry Atkinson. Contact
him if you want a copy or want to see the original.
Sincerely,
Ron Ralph
Mailman
