OCEAN CITY- It was a very special day for a group of children from Camden, who spent the day on the beach, a place where many of them have never been in their young lives. The whole day was made possible by Angels on the Atlantic.
From the city to the sea, a bus load of kids arrives from Camden to spend the day on the beaches of Ocean City. "Sand's gettin' in my shoe," said one little boy as he hiked towards the ocean, "It feels goooood!"
Many of the kids have never been to the beach before, which is why Vince Hubach and his wife decided to start "Angels on the Atlantic", which invites inner city and at risk kids to spend a day at the Jersey shore. "We want them to see that they're part of a bigger thing," said Hubach, "I think living in the environment that they live in, they probably feel kinda boxed in, like they don't think the world extends 4-5 blocks away from them."
On this hazy day, it looked almost like a dream as the kids swarmed the salty surf. While some took their time, others jumped right in. "The sand is soft and the water is really cold," said Eshae Copling.
All the kids screamed and shrieked as waves crashed before them. "I get scared, I run." This is 13 year-old Nyemah Davis' first time ever at the beach, but she says it won't be her last. "I'm gonna ask my dad can I come back," said Davis.
Last summer, the angels sponsored more than 430 kids, and this summer they've booked almost triple that number. Almost everyday another busload of kids arrives from another city to enjoy the surf, sand, and sun at the Jersey Shore. "We hope it just inspires them a little bit," said Hubach, "and if not for anything, it gets them out of their environment for the day."
After the kids get their free t-shirt and lunch, there's time for one last dip before heading back home. "I think this is just amazing," said Phyllis Corbitt, a counselor with Camden's Summer Recreation Program, "this is very nice for the children of Camden, they were very excited about coming, as was the staff."
"Camden has a bad name, and just to invite us is a good thing," said a dripping wet 14 year-old, Jackie Johnson.
"I thank them for letting us come down here and letting us have fun," said Alexis Collins.
Click here if you know of a group who could benefit from Angels on the Atlantic, or if you would like more information about the organization.