River Kidz of St. Lucie and Indian River County

Thursday, October 2, 2014 Facebook alerts me that gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist was coming to Sandsprit Park for a tour of the lagoon and meet and greet. Being a homeschooling mom and River Mom, I had to be there. I wanted to give my own kidz the opportunity to actually meet Mr. Crist.

Hannah (my daughter), Zasha and Zach (Martin County River Kidz and homeschoolers) and little Aiden braved the heat, humidity and the urge to dive into the dirty Manatee Pocket water while awaiting the possible Governor. 11:30am came, noon came, 1pm came with an update, the former governor was on his way! The Kidz played on the play ground for hours laughing, playing and looking for the green Quaker Parrots.

The time had finally arrived, the former Gov. was there. Has he approach, the crowded hurried to get a good look at him. He was escorted by Indian Riverkeeper, Marty Baum and Rep. Mark Pattford to name a few. Mrs. Crist was also with him. While making his way to the boat and inching closer to the crowd that lingered under the pavilion, he stopped briefly to talk to the crowd. Expressing concern for the water issues and reminding us of the work he has actually done.

It was time to round up the Kidz and let them have a private moment with him. We prepared and printed a copy of some questioned we asked the kidz to ask any politician if they could. Some of the questions were "When the water is so dirty, what will we drink and how will we live?", "How are you going to save all of the animals?", "If you don't stop the dumping now, when will you stop it?".

Hannah, Aiden, Zach and Zasha very patiently waited while Mr. Crist made his way towards them. Dodging the reporters the Kidz did, he finally was standing right in front of the kidz, the real people we fight for, the ones who the lagoon and rivers belong to, OUR FUTURE! County Commissioner and River Kidz friend, Chris Dzadosky introduced who these Kidz were and spoke breifly about them. Mr. Crist shock each of their hands, asking them one by one what their names were. Hot, sweaty and dirty from playing on the playground for hours, the kidz appeared to be on a mission. It was that very moment when 7 year old Zasha asked the Former governor, "Are you going to save our lagoon?". It was a moment that had many in awe and many seeing first hand just exactly WHY we fight. Mr. Crist explained that he would to everything he could to save the lagoon.


Thank you Zach, Zasha, Hannah and Aiden.