Sorry that some people won't read your inspirational story because it's too long or not in grammatical form. It's not how it's written, it's what is being said. And your story should be inspiring other people to do the same...give their time, and sometimes money, to help others. Sometimes taking the time just to read what others write is rewarding. Take the time! People have important things to say. I'm truly inspired by what you have done and I know those kids and families are so grateful. What an excellent idea and one that has grown beyond your original act of kindness. Thank you so much for what you have done. If I were a better photographer I would steal your idea. But not sure how much people could learn from me beyond the basics. :) Again...thanks for your act of kindness and thanks for sharing it with us!

I posted this idea as part of another topic.Thought I'd put it out there as a stand alone topic.Couple years ago I was remodeling a house for some absentee owners to get it ready for sale.(I'm a remodeling contractor).My painter was there and he had his 16 yr old daughter there helping him. She had to do some sort of community service work for her voc ag class.She was doing some painting,and like most kids,was really having fun and sort of grumbling about having more fun things to do.So I happened to ask her if she ever thought about doing photography.She said she would love to,but didn't have a camera,or any idea how to do it.We chatted a few more minutes,then I went about my duties.My mind started wandering about how to help get her started.Got on ebay after work and started looking for some sort of camera that had the look and feel of a dslr. Found these fuji hs series cameras that really look like a the real deal.Fixed zoom that had the equiv.of a 24-720mm zoom lens.Lot's of features like manual zoom,manual focus.(electronicaly controlled).Just real nice little cameras.So I bid for on one.got it for something like $70.00.Camera was in excellent shape.I played with it for a couple weeks to see what it was capable of.I was very impressed.Had to download the instruction manual for her.She was somewhat taken back when I presented it to her.She thought that I was just letting her use it.Told her it was hers with one stipulation,that if she didn't really use it,or lost interest,that she return it.To my total amazement,within 6 weeks,she had not only put together a portfolio,she was asked to do some class pics for her high school.That got me thinking that if it worked for her,it might work for others.SO,I went back on line,picked up another fuji, and started to talk to some of the kids not only in church,but other parents I have known.I would ask if their kids might be interested in photography.All said I was free to present my question to the kids.To make a long story short,I now have given away about 13 cameras.Another fella from church and myself get together from time to time to go out and do some shoots.He is a member of a camera club,so they do some regular field trips.When I told him what I have been doing,he suggested we put on some beginner photo classes for all the kids.After getting permission from the church to use one of their class rooms,we put a posting on the bulletin board.The response was more than we thought it would be.Not only were the kids interested,but we had a number of adults who had cameras,but really didn"t know how to get the most out of them.So now we host monthly classes, but we do monthly field trips.Myself and 2 other fellas, as we go about our day to bussiness,we look for or hear about something that might be of interest.So one of us will do a scouting trip to see the possibilities.we then do a posting on the board,and emailings to those outside of the church.It has gotten to the point were we have to organize car pooling so that we don't look like an invasion force decending on the photo site.Long winded I know,but just thought I'd put this idea out there for others to try.I have spent at least $1,000.00 on cameras for these kids.At first my wife was pretty upset with the money I was spending.You know what,the money is not the issue,and believe me,I do not have a lot of free cash sitting around.Actually,there are times when money is tight,But I love the feeling of being able to do something beyond myself.The kids and the adults are having fun.I tell people that when you get a little more serious about photography,you no longer just look at things around you,you now see life in a whole new way.You begin to SEE.suddenly you see the whole world as a photo op.When we are going to or fro from our field trips,everyone is looking out the windows,suddenly we hear,"look out there,that looks cool to shoot".That my friends makes all the time and money worth it.

I posted this idea as part of another topic.Thought I'd put it out there as a stand alone topic.Couple years ago I was remodeling a house for some absentee owners to get it ready for sale.(I'm a remodeling contractor).My painter was there and he had his 16 yr old daughter there helping him. She had to do some sort of community service work for her voc ag class.She was doing some painting,and like most kids,was really having fun and sort of grumbling about having more fun things to do.So I happened to ask her if she ever thought about doing photography.She said she would love to,but didn't have a camera,or any idea how to do it.We chatted a few more minutes,then I went about my duties.My mind started wandering about how to help get her started.Got on ebay after work and started looking for some sort of camera that had the look and feel of a dslr. Found these fuji hs series cameras that really look like a the real deal.Fixed zoom that had the equiv.of a 24-720mm zoom lens.Lot's of features like manual zoom,manual focus.(electronicaly controlled).Just real nice little cameras.So I bid for on one.got it for something like $70.00.Camera was in excellent shape.I played with it for a couple weeks to see what it was capable of.I was very impressed.Had to download the instruction manual for her.She was somewhat taken back when I presented it to her.She thought that I was just letting her use it.Told her it was hers with one stipulation,that if she didn't really use it,or lost interest,that she return it.To my total amazement,within 6 weeks,she had not only put together a portfolio,she was asked to do some class pics for her high school.That got me thinking that if it worked for her,it might work for others.SO,I went back on line,picked up another fuji, and started to talk to some of the kids not only in church,but other parents I have known.I would ask if their kids might be interested in photography.All said I was free to present my question to the kids.To make a long story short,I now have given away about 13 cameras.Another fella from church and myself get together from time to time to go out and do some shoots.He is a member of a camera club,so they do some regular field trips.When I told him what I have been doing,he suggested we put on some beginner photo classes for all the kids.After getting permission from the church to use one of their class rooms,we put a posting on the bulletin board.The response was more than we thought it would be.Not only were the kids interested,but we had a number of adults who had cameras,but really didn"t know how to get the most out of them.So now we host monthly classes, but we do monthly field trips.Myself and 2 other fellas, as we go about our day to bussiness,we look for or hear about something that might be of interest.So one of us will do a scouting trip to see the possibilities.we then do a posting on the board,and emailings to those outside of the church.It has gotten to the point were we have to organize car pooling so that we don't look like an invasion force decending on the photo site.Long winded I know,but just thought I'd put this idea out there for others to try.I have spent at least $1,000.00 on cameras for these kids.At first my wife was pretty upset with the money I was spending.You know what,the money is not the issue,and believe me,I do not have a lot of free cash sitting around.Actually,there are times when money is tight,But I love the feeling of being able to do something beyond myself.The kids and the adults are having fun.I tell people that when you get a little more serious about photography,you no longer just look at things around you,you now see life in a whole new way.You begin to SEE.suddenly you see the whole world as a photo op.When we are going to or fro from our field trips,everyone is looking out the windows,suddenly we hear,"look out there,that looks cool to shoot".That my friends makes all the time and money worth it.