“In community, we can do just about anything!” – Mary Boutieller
I first met Mary and her husband John while writing stories on kindness for my book, Love Is the New Currency. You may remember them as the “Firefighters with Compassion,” who went to Nicaragua to bring much needed equipment and training to the Managua community. They, and 12 other Sarasota firefighters, spent heart-wrenching days helping families living at the local dump, then shoveling dirt and pouring concrete for Villa Esperanza, that became a home for 72 girls. As Mary put it: “We did anything they asked us to do, as hard as we could and as best we could.”
Fortunately for me, our paths have crossed many times over the following years, and although John and Mary have retired as firefighters, their lives and their commitment to community is inspirational. Now, they are embarking on a bigger venture with a mission to honor, connect and support a community that saved John’s life. After you read Mary’s letter, may you find hope, as I do, that together we can make a greater difference in the world.
“Dear Wonderful Friends,
I want to tell you a story of the hands that lifted me up, and to ask for your help.
Six years ago, John and I embarked on a hiking trip across Spain. We set out on the 400+ mile pilgrim trail known as the Camino de Santiago. We wanted to see the country, meet people from all over the world, and reconnect to our spirits. We were over 200 miles into our journey when John started feeling ill. We laid low for a few days, but he only got worse. A doctor’s visit, a few unsuspecting angels and a fast taxi ride later, and John was in a hospital in Leon having emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix. He spent ten days there and was able to fully recover. After John’s discharge, we flew back home as soon as he was able to travel again.
To say that there were angels watching over us would be an understatement. There were so many chance meetings, individual kindnesses and caring acts that combined to save John’s life and lift me up in one of my darkest hours. That unfinished journey and our experience with the people there has never left us.
Now it’s time for us to return and finish what we started. But our return to the Camino is more than completing a hike that was cut short. We want it to be a celebration of those helping hands that lift all of us up.
In September, we will head back to Spain, visit the hospital in Leon, and walk 200 miles on the Camino Primitivo, a less traveled and more mountainous path. Then we’ll go to Portugal, rent bicycles, and ride 174 miles on the Camino Portugues. We’ll finish in Santiago de Compostela, where we will give thanks for the amazing people who saved John’s life, and the friends and strangers who saved mine.
And here is where we need your help! We believe all of us can make a positive difference in another person’s world. Many of the angels who saved John’s life probably don’t realize how important they were in my life. To pay it forward, we want to dedicate our walk to two amazing organizations. Our goal is to raise $10,000 or more. The two organizations are:
Doctors Without Borders brings medical humanitarian assistance to victims of conflict, natural disasters, epidemics or healthcare exclusion. We have a special place in our hearts for the medical staff who saved John’s life, and for all those who do this day after day!
SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest non-governmental organization focused on helping children at risk – including those who are homeless, neglected or abused, or who have been affected by natural or man-made disasters.
And, we are partnering with Advancing Compassion Project (ACP) to make this a success. ACP has provided invaluable behind-the-scenes help and will match our fundraising, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000!
Please help us raise up these two wonderful organizations through this fundraising effort. To me, they do the work of Angels by stepping forward to help those most in need.
For more information and to find the link to donate, go to:
http://www.helplovegrow.org/critical-care-2022/. We appreciate you in our lives more than you know.
In Gratitude Always,
Mary and John
Thank you for letting me share something that makes me feel hopeful and positive about this world. While we all receive requests for donations and I don’t normally write about this, I am personally grateful and excited to be a part of this community effort. If this story touches you in some way, I hope that you will join me by contributing in any way that you can, knowing that your efforts will be matched. And, despite what you see on the news, I would like to leave you with the faith that there are many kind and loving people who are doing their best to demonstrate how the power of community can change lives.
Blessings and gratitude,
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
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