Hailey Heseltine
ECB Publishing, Inc.
A local family from Greenville, the Camps, need the support of their community. Husband and wife Matt and Arin, and their children, six-year-old Ben and four-year-old Holley, are in need after Matt recently made the courageous decision to enter a rehabilitation program.
“Over the years,” Arin explains, “Matt quietly struggled with alcoholism. It's something that runs deep in his family, and like generational struggles often do, it can take time and courage to confront it head on. Recently Matt made the incredibly brave decision to step away from everything for a year to enter a long-term Christ-centered recovery program. It wasn't an easy choice for him or for our family, but we truly believe it is the beginning of real healing and restoration.”
Unfortunately, while Matt is working hard to heal in the recovery program, he is necessarily unable to provide his family with some types of support, including financial. Though Arin also works and provides for her family, the difference without Matt's financial support creates a rift in the family's budget.
Friends of the Camps set up a GoFundMe page to help fill that rift. The page addresses many of the family's most pressing needs: “Financial assistance in the form of monetary donations, pledges toward utility bills or their mortgage, grocery gift cards or similar practical help would be an incredible blessing. In addition, Matt was a tremendous help with daily logistics — dropping off and picking up the kids from school. Financial assistance with getting the children into the after-school program at Aucilla for the next 12 months, as well as financial support for summer programs, would be deeply appreciated.” Since the page's creation on Feb. 18, it has raised over $3,000 of its $10,000 goal of support for the Camps. Though donations through the crowdfunding platform are greatly appreciated, there are additional ways to support the Camps beyond it.
“What has touched me the most, though,” comments Arin, “is that support has come in many forms. Some people have helped financially, others have offered to help with yard work, rides, meals, checking in on us, or simply being present as friends during a difficult time. Every bit of it has reminded us that we are not walking this road alone.”
By sharing the family's story of perseverance and hope, Arin hopes that it will inspire those in similar situations.
She says, “One thing we've learned through this experience is that recovery doesn't just affect the person seeking help, it affects the whole family. Men who are struggling often carry a heavy weight of shame that keeps them from reaching out, and wives and families can feel very alone as they try to hold everything together. Our hope in sharing our story is that it might help break some of that silence and encourage people to seek support earlier rather than later … asking for help is not weakness. Sometimes it's the bravest step someone can take … Matt is working incredibly hard to rebuild his life, and we believe one day his testimony will be ale to encourage other men who feel stuck in the same cycle.”
In the meantime, the Camps need their community's support so that they can thrive, and Matt can focus on the recovery he needs before he can tell his story someday.
“We are deeply grateful for the kindness, prayers and support we've received from our community. It has meant more than we could ever fully express and has given our family the space to focus on healing and hope for the future,” Arin comments.
To view the Camp family's GoFundMe page and learn more, visit www.gofundme.com/f/standing-with-arin-and-kids-through-this-year.