MUKILTEO — Camdyn Robinson just turned 12. Her passion is softball.
This past winter, she and her dad, Jason, took on a project to help the homeless.
The Robinsons, of Mukilteo, attend Seattle’s Holiday Parade every year. Jason Robinson and his wife have been taking Camdyn and her sister, Hailey, 15, to the parade since the girls had to be carried in their parents’ arms.
After last year’s parade, Camdyn couldn’t help but think about the homeless people she saw in the city.
Her dad’s an Edmonds police officer. At the dinner table, he often talks about those he meets on the job who are struggling with homelessness.
“I just think it’s important for the girls to realize they have it pretty good, and sometimes people get down on their luck and could use a little help,” he said.
They wondered what they could do as a family.
They decided to create care kits, or “gift packs,” that he could keep in his patrol car and distribute as needed. Jason and Camdyn spearheaded the work.
“We went to Costco,” she said. They picked up socks and granola bars. They already had a case of disposable hand warmers at home. They added $5 gift cards from McDonald’s, and during the holidays, candy canes.
They wanted to keep it simple.
“Who doesn’t like putting on a new pair of socks?” Robinson said.
They made 20 or so of the packs, using plastic sandwich bags. A few still are hanging around in case they’re needed.
Some people have accepted the pack with tears, Jason Robinson said.
Dad and daughter were recognized at the 2015 Edmonds Police Department awards night a few weeks back.
Robinson “took on this project, expecting no fanfare, but that’s a true testament to his character,” Police Chief Al Compaan said. “I am proud to have him as a member of our department.”
Meanwhile, Camdyn’s life still revolves around softball — she plays first base — though she doesn’t neglect her studies during the school year. Her favorite class is physical education, she said.
“You get to do stuff other than work on problems,” she said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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