McAuliffe Elementary School: Thank you Ryan, for picking up Butch!

Mrs. Bedard's Grade 4 Class

Ryan Wholey & his mom Diane

Mr. Ducharme & Mrs. Tingas

The 4^th graders at the McAuliffe School in Lowell were recently introduced to Richard “Butch” Varno of Middlebury, Vermont. Not personally, but to his story. I was lucky enough to see a video that ESPN made titled, “Picking Up Butch,” based on a 50 year tradition at Middlebury College. This was an amazing story that touched my heart in so many ways. As a teacher, it was about everything we try to instill in our students every day.

The athletes and community of Middlebury College have spent the past 50 years picking up Butch, who is now a 63 year old man with Cerebral Palsy, living in a nursing home near the college. They pick him up every Friday during basketball and football season and bring him to every game. This story is about a man whom I’ve never had the opportunity to meet, but who I know could light up a room with his smile and is loved by millions all over the world, I’m certain.

I showed the video to my 4^th graders and they were so touched by it that they asked

if they could write letters to Butch and the athletes at Middlebury. The entire 4^th grade wrote the most touching letters I’ve ever seen. They wrote pages and pages thanking him for sharing his story. They wrote about how they wished that someday they too, “Could be as kind and generous as the athletes they saw in the video.”

We were going to mail them when a kind hearted friend of mine, reached out to say that she knew one of the basketball players at Middlebury. Senior Ryan Wholey who began picking up Butch as a freshman 3 years ago, offered to come in and visit our class while he was home on college break. This to me was just another amazingly kind gesture in the unfolding of this story.

Ryan came in holding a basketball and a framed picture of the entire team with their coaches. There, in the photo with all of them was Butch. He was a part of their team. He was a part of Middlebury College and now a part of so many other lives he’d touched. The basketball was for all the kids to sign so that Ryan could bring it back to give to Butch as a gift along with all 80 letters. He spoke to a room full of children for almost forty-five minutes. He answered question after question about Butch, his teammates, and how proud he was to be a part of such an amazing tradition.

My students took so much away from this experience. Watching the video, writing the letters, and meeting Ryan and his wonderful Mom Diane. We can’t thank him enough for reaching out and being an incredible role model. The story of Butch Varno is not to be missed. It’s gone national quite a few times. I am so thankful I was able to catch it this time around.
Thanks for checking in!
Tara

Click on the link below to read the article or view Butch's story.

http://www.middlebury.edu/athletics/about/generalnews/archives/2010-2011/node/263603

Dear Middlebury Athletes,

I think it is amazing that you have changed a person's life by helping them. Every Friday you pick up Butch and take him to a basketball or football game.

In the video Butch says, "My life would've been torture without the Middlebury Athletes." Thanks to you, Butch's life has been changed and it is so heart touching that Butch has friends to depend on!

It's so nice that whenever Butch sees you guys his face lights up. You guys play a big part of Butch's life. Without you guys his life would've been torture. You guys are Butch's family. He says that because you've always been there for him. Let's not forget when Roger Ralph first picked up Butch back in 1960. He is Butch's family too!

The video "Picking Up Butch" was so inspiring it made me want to help too. I want to help people like you guys help Butch.

Your Friend,

Claire W.

PS Merry Christmas

Dear Middlebury Athletes,

You are so nice to Butch. You always pick him up and drop him off. You do not care what other people say. You are the nicest people in the world. You also make him so happy. You took time out of your day to pick him up and drop him off.

You made me want to pick up someone just like Butch. I am so confident now. I want to be just like you guys. You guys decided to pick him up. You guys were so nice when you held Butch's hand. It made me proud of you.

Your Friend,

Jonathan B

Dear Middlebury Athletes,

What you do for Butch is kind. I am so proud of you for doing that. I wish I did that with you. We watched the video "Picking Up Butch." in our classroom. It was a touching story. I saw the video and I recognized that you guys love picking up Butch. I am sure he appreciates what you do for him. I hope you guys carry on the tradition for many years.

I wish I could meet you guys. It's nice of you to hold Butch's hand when he gets scared. It's nice that you don't care what other people think about you. When I grow up I want to be just like you. I want to pick up someone like Butch.

Sincerely,

Anh T.

Dear Butch,

I saw your video and it was so touching. It was so nice because the athletes love to see you and every time you are there they say you have a smile on your face. I love how Roger Ralph first volunteered to pick you and your grandmother up back in 1960. He helped you to get home safely. I felt bad at first because you couldn't play any of the sports that you love like basketball and football.

Butch, you have a perfect life. The athletes care about you. You get to go and see the games every Friday. You get to meet new people. I wish you could move your arms and legs so your life would be easier.

Even though the Panthers lost the basketball game last season and you'll miss all the people you love, just wait until the next season and they will do great!

Your Friend,

Raymond T.

Here are some more photos from our visit with Ryan!