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Air Force dependent child gives from the heart

Wilford Hall Medical Center
By Linda Frost, 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
02.26.09

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- 9-year-old Mary Rose couldn't think of anything she wanted for her birthday. Instead of receiving gifts for herself, she decided to ask for donations to help others.

On Jan. 18, Mary Rose Ocampo, daughter of Senior Master Sgt. Clifford Ocampo, 59th Surgical Specialties Squadron, hosted a typical birthday party with ice cream and cake at an outdoor park in San Antonio, Texas. But, instead of bringing gifts for Mary, the kids brought donations for the Lackland Fisher House.

To her surprise, Mary received $1,445 in donations and more than $225 worth of paper products.

"My parents helped me and gave me a list of different organizations to choose from. I decided to help the Fisher House because they help military families and I could get my donations to them fast," said Mary Rose.

More than 75 birthday invitations were mailed out and nearly 60 people, including kids, parents and relatives, showed up with checks or dry goods in hand. Even donations were received from the Ocampo family's military friends as far away as Canada, California and Arkansas.

"We try to instill the value of selflessness in our children and that was pretty much what we expressed in the invitation card," said Sergeant Ocampo.

Mary's brother, Joseph, did the same thing for his 9th birthday.

"Since she couldn't decide what she wanted, we gave her the option of giving rather than receiving. She made her own choice," said Sergeant Ocampo.

"We really appreciate what the military does for our families, and the Fisher House is a perfect example of how families can be helped when facing their loved ones' difficult times," he added.

Fisher House, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves as a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base. There are 43 Fisher Houses around the world.

Mary Rose's selfless actions didn't go unnoticed. She is the youngest individual recipient of the Fisher House Foundation Angel Award, given for significant volunteer effort.

Vice chairman of the Fisher House Foundation Mrs. Audrey Fisher presented the special award to Mary Rose Feb. 25 during a visit to Lackland AFB.

"I think it's amazing a young girl of her age is willing to contribute to Fisher House and not benefit herself. This is a very unselfish act," said Dwayne Hopkins, executive director, Fisher House, Inc.

"She was smart to contribute both money and dry goods. Now we don't have to spend funds buying those things and have the flexibility to purchase other items we need," said Mr. Hopkins.

"I'm proud of her. I hope this value of selflessness stays with her and she can pass it on to her children. It is a gift of giving. Knowing you can help someone else is a good feeling," said Sergeant Ocampo.

So, did Mary get just one little gift from her parents?

Smiling with pride, Sergeant Ocampo commented that she got a "special hug."

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