Pat and Bob Michaud Pat and Bob Michaud, Foster Grandparents (Photo Beth Callaway)

Pat was born in Portland and raised in Damariscotta, and Bob was born in Biddeford. They moved to Gray 42 years ago and will celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary in October. They have three sons (one of whom they lost), four grandchildren and one great grandchild, so they are grandparents with a great deal of experience.

"I help with the children as much as I can," explains Pat. "They need love, they need attention. The teachers do a wonderful job, but sometimes they can't get around to each individual child."

"We're there five hours a day, four days a week," shares Bob. "I get there early in the morning around 8 a.m. because I set up breakfast for them�. In between time, my basic job is to be with the kids, to help them out like [Pat] does. I play with them, wipe their noses, do puzzles with them, play games with them, and help them out when they get in a bind."

"The kids need to know there's someone there for them, someone who cares," adds Pat. "They all need a hug or sometimes they need to be talked to or to be told you can be anything or anyone you want to be, as long as you try." Pat says that sometimes the children come back to visit her after they've moved on from her classroom. "When you're sick, they send cards home to you. They remember your birthday. They really are fantastic kids," she says.

Both Bob and Pat agree that the time and effort is worthwhile and remember specific children fondly. Bob recalls, "When I started here in Gray, there was a little girl, she lived up in New Gloucester. These kids come mostly from broken homes, divorced parents or poverty stricken people. The first morning this little girl just grabbed me by the waist and hugged me."

Pat, who is a singer and songwriter, remembers a very special little girl at the Russell School. "When I was sick, she wrote me a song, and she gave it to me," shares Pat. "I looked at it and fixed it so it would rhyme a bit, and right away I put music to it and I sang it to her. Well, she just fell in love, and she said 'Granny, I want to come home and live with you.' Each year I've been singing it to the classes and telling them about [that little girl]."

Pat says she hopes to make each child's school experience better. "I do the best I can do, that's all I can do. I don't have much schooling myself. It was very difficult for me in school, so I know what these children are going through, how difficult it is for them."

Bob, who also works at the FiddleHead Center for the Arts during the summer, says of Head Start, "It really gives them a jumpstart. A lot of times they get into Kindergarten, and they'll at least know their ABCs and some can do numbers."

The Michauds strongly encourage anyone interested in being a foster grandparent to volunteer. "Every moment is a challenge, no matter what you do," says Bob, but both he and Pat agree it is worth it. "Do it, you won't be sorry," adds Pat. "It gives you a great feeling to know you're doing something for the children."

For more information about the Foster Grandparent Program in Cumberland County, call 842-3607 or visit www.propeople.org/programs.htm#seniors.