Brewer, Parkers Give Back
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net July 27, 2012

Senior Clemson defensive back Xavier Brewer took part of his summer to help some kids learn more about sports, character and faith.  For the second year in a row Cathy Parker, the Parker family and Athletes to Champions put on a camp at Clemson’s Youth Learning Institute, Camp Long, in Aiken.  The camp was for ages 9-13 and used to sports to help the campers focus on character and faith.  Last year Jamie Harper helped the Parker family with the camp and this year Xavier Brewer agreed to help with the camp and mentor the kids.

“I received a message from Mrs. Parker and she told me to call her about a camp.  I know Jamie went down there last year.  I wasn’t sure what it was all about.  She told me what it was about and how it was a Christian based camp to help a lot of different kids.  It was going to give me the opportunity to have a platform to be a mentor and tell the kids where I came from.  It was a blessing to have the opportunity,” said Brewer.

Was the camp experience different than the Clemson defensive back expected?

“It was way different than I thought.  Those kids were wild.  They never got tired.  That was the best part and it was fun to see.  We would start early around 7 AM and go until midnight.  Those kids wanted to stay up later till like 2 AM,” replied Brewer.

Xavier said the experience was one he will never forget.

“I enjoyed being able to speak to the kids and see how some of them were touched by the words I said.  I enjoyed seeing how some of them turned their lives over to the lord,” replied Brewer.

Xavier has know the Parker family for many years and has seen the family spend a lot of time helping the lives of others.

“I have known the Parker’s since middle school.  One thing is they love their kids and put in a lot of time toward their kids.  They are fortunate to have a lot and they in turn give a lot back.  I was one of those that they would have in their home whenever I wanted something or needed something to eat.  Mrs. Parker especially.  I got to see what she did with the kids in Alaska.  It was amazing to see her raise so much money.  It is nice to know people like that who do so much to help others,” said Brewer.

The second annual Sports Character camp was a lot of work for Cathy Parker and her family, but it was well worth the effort.  Former Tiger two-sport standout Kyle Parker couldn’t attend the camp, but was a major contributor to allow the camp to proceed.

“Many times I wondered if it was worth all the effort that goes into putting on a camp.  Last year our family was living in Augusta, Ga so we were close to Aiken and things were a lot easier.  This year, I was planning the camp from our home in South Georgia and making frequent five hour trips to the area.  Fortunately, A2C had received a small grant for the camp from The Community Foundation of the CSRA, so we were committed to having the camp again this year. Kyle was a huge contributor again this year and my son Kendal who leaves in a few weeks for UNC Charlotte (he will be on first football team) was in charge of organizing all the camp activities.

“When I observed  Xavier and Kendal stand before those young boys and tell their testimonies sharing the good and the bad, with every young boy listening to each word, I knew this camp was worth all the sacrifice.  Xavier shared a saying that he had heard from Coach Dabo, “A smart man learns from his own mistakes but a wise man learns from others’ mistakes”.  Every camper could say that statement in unison.  It became our camp motto.  Every life was touched.  Just Amazing!,” said Cathy Parker.
A lot of lives were touched by Xavier Brewer and the Parker family at Camp Long in July.  Xavier has a new fan club and the Parkers will continue to do what they can to help others through Athletes to Champions.