Those attending camp included, Jeweliane Bienbenu, Joe Michael Torrez, Christie Ford, Nancy Lopez, Justin Brice, Amanda Moreno, Mario Moreno, Chasity Fields, Cabri Carpenter, Rachel Bragg and Richard Williams ("Big R"). At 75 years old, his hair is completely gray, and his step isn't quite as spry as it used to be. But to all of "His Kids," Richard Williams still stands tall.

"Big R," as Williams is known to hundreds of Lampasas youths, is a retired Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, who for more than two decades made it his mission to ensure local kids were safe, cared for and well loved.

His Kids was a local program established by Williams that offered a safe place for kids to go after school, as well as homework help, Bible studies, a clothes closet, and emotional and mental support from a group of respected adults.

When Williams retired in 1996 after more than 40 years with the DPS, His Kids stopped. He and his wife wanted to spend time traveling, he said.

"There wasn't anyone else to take the program at the time, and it just folded," he said.

The tide has changed, and Williams is watching the next generation give back to their community, and the program has been re-energized.

After a reunion of former His Kids campers, the idea began to form in the minds of several Lampasans who previously were taken under the wings of Big R.

Nancy Lopez, a 1999 Lampasas High School graduate and a college student, is one of them. The group began by gathering a few local kids to attend His Hill Camp in Comfort.

"It was almost too late to get kids in, so we didn't have as many attend as we would like," she said.

Finances also proved to be a problem. Summer camp can cost about $450 per child, but many attended on scholarships. And Lampasas kids who formerly attended camp at Comfort helped sponsor a dozen kids for camp this year.

Also assisting was the Texas State Troopers Association which, at the time Williams was a trooper, provided solid financial backing of the program along with the local Police Activities League.

Ms. Lopez believes His Kids serves an important purpose in the Lampasas community. "I know it did for me, and I want to give that back to other kids in Lampasas," she said. "I realized how much I missed camp, and I wanted other kids to have the opportunity to attend and be able to have adults they can turn to for help and support."

And camp, though a major component of His Kids, is just part of the program. Bible study plays a large role, as well.

"Being together is so important," said Williams. "His Kids changes lives. It nurtures kids. It gives them a chance to spend time together and to figure out what's important."

Bible study will begin again this year, Ms. Lopez said, and she hopes to have other activities for youths as the program gathers strength.

"We want to offer activities that will put kids in positive situations and offer them a positive place to be with a more religious foundation. My goal is to be able to have kids go to camp every year and to get them more involved with the Bible."

Though Williams' involvement in His Kids is renowned, he is ready for the next generation of youths to take the program under their wings. "If this program is going to succeed again, it's going to take their hard work to make it happen."

It's also going to take money, and that's where Williams and Ms. Lopez hope the community will step in.

"We have to hope the community will rally around us again, because this is important for all of our kids," said Williams. "We are hoping to involve a lot of kids and that they can all get a chance to go to camp next year.

"If the Lord thinks it's a good thing, it will work. There were times we ran out of money before, and it just came to us."

Money aside, Williams hopes the community embraces His Kids once again for what it provides youths.

"It takes a lot to earn a kid's trust," he said. "I know it's possible. I can remember working with some kids, and it took a long time for them to trust anyone, or to give or receive a hug, or to say 'I love you.' But they did, and they knew that they were loved.

"All of His Kids are."

Send financial contributions to P.O. Box 1323, Lampasas, TX 76550 or phone Ms. Lopez at 525- 6292 for information.