Camden has a committee dedicated to maximizing the impact a national, organized work force can have on people in need.  It also offers our employees the humbling opportunity to serve. I was among a wave of people in matching green shirts, standing in front of the Methodist Home for Children, in Raleigh North Carolina.  We had dutifully followed the instructions given by our local Camden Cares committee leader, Marianne.  We were in the right place, at the right time, in the right shirt. Today's mission was to paint a fence. How many companies will shut their doors, put their businesses on hold, coordinate, outfit, and transport their workforce for a day, to paint a fence for a deserving organization?  There are plenty of contractors, painters, and handymen that could paint the fence. But how many contractors will do it for free?   Many do.  And so many more could.

Painting a Fence at a home for children in Raleigh, NC. http://www.mhfc.org As I prepared a section of the fence for paint, a woman walked by with a small child.  I overheard her answer his curiosity about the people painting the fence.  She said, "Many hands make light work" (which is a quote by John Heywood). For some reason, the sound of her voice, explaining what we were doing, gave me a moment of insight.  I stepped out of my fussy "first world problems" and realized that my hands were making light work of expensive preservation needs for a worthy organization.  We were helping an organization that is run by people who give of themselves.  They also give up their own "first world problems" to attend to those with a true need.  We already know, but don't often remember, that there are children who have never seen the nurturing love our society depicts in storybooks and advertisements. The people giving, caring, loving and offering hope to those children are everyday people with hero hearts. At lunch, the director of the facility told us the history of the building, their mission and some stories.  I further realized that we were doing something significant for an organization that operates within an alarming proximity to my busy life. Earlier this year, Camden held its annual management conference in Houston, Texas.    Our COO, Malcom Stewart, invited Marcus Luttrell to speak at our general session.  The story of this soldier will be told on the big screen in the upcoming film, Lone Survivor.  We were honored to hear his story from his own voice.  It was life-changing. I will never forget how it felt to see someone recall such an experience.  To look at his face, as he described events that will forever haunt him, will probably haunt me forever. The reason Marcus Lutrell relives that story, is to offer many hands to our wounded veterans and their families.  His story, his life and his voice will shake you up, and then wake you up. Camden is a company that is founded on Values.  Life happens, days go by and people are busy and selfish.  We ALL are.  Why should you care that Camden Cares? Because they conduct their business to support people.  They offer wonderful housing options that Promise Living Excellence, excellent employment opportunities in addition to housing a spirit of service through their national Camden Cares campaign.  During the month of September, every Camden employee across the country was given the opportunity to make light work for wounded veterans, children, and organizations providing housing to people in need. Can anyone paint a fence?  Most people can.  Today, I got to be part of something that impacts children with traumatic experiences.  I don't know how many kids will look at the fence and think to themselves that it was painted nicely.  I am comforted to know that they won't stare out the window at a fence that needs repair.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve.  I am appreciative that I work for a company making service to others an important part of how they do business. I'm humbled and proud every day and in so many ways to represent Camden.

Camden Employee's gather in Raleigh, NC joining a national commitment to serve our communities.