Former President George H.W. Bush privately sponsored a 7-year-old Filipino boy for 10 years without the boy ever knowing who Bush was.
As CNN reports, the relationship was triggered in 2001, when Bush, then 77, was in the audience at a Christmas Concert in Washington, D.C. Wess Stafford, the former president of Compassion International told CNN, “Because the musicians were mostly Christian, they believed in our mission.” During intermission, “they would tell the audience about us, and ask them if they would like to sponsor a child. All of the sudden, Mr. Bush, who was sitting only a few rows back and surrounded by security, raised his hand and asked for a pamphlet,” he added.
Stafford recalled that Bush’s security team was concerned because they were unfamiliar with the pamphlet and couldn’t vouch for its authenticity. Stafford continued, “His top security called me and said ‘this doesn’t surprise me coming from him, but if he’s going to sponsor this kid, we need to make sure the boy doesn’t know who his sponsor is.’ So, he signed all his letters to Timothy as ‘George Walker.’” Stafford explained that Bush’s security team worried that if it were discovered that the boy, named Timothy, was friends with a former president, the boy’s safety would be endangered.
After making contact, Bush helped fund Timothy’s education, extracurricular activities and even some of his food. Stafford screened each letter.
The first letter from Bush to Timothy went like this:
Dear Timothy:
I want to be your new pen pal.
I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids; and though we have not met I love you already.
I live in Texas – I will write you from time to time – Good Luck. G. Walker
Another:
Here is a picture of our dog. Her name is Sadie. She has met a lot of famous people.
She is a very good dog she was born in England. She catches mice and chipmunks, and she runs like the wind. G. Walker.
Another:
Dear Timothy,
I love that picture of you holding that ‘World Time’ gadget. I also have learned that you play the guitar – terrific!
Timothy, have you ever heard of the White House? That’s where the president of the USA lives. I got to go to the White House at Christmas time. Here is a little booklet that I got at the White House in Washington.
Stafford reminisced, “Timothy would send him hand drawings and told the President how much he liked art, so he sent over color pencils, sketch pads, and paint. I waited for my staff to go to the Philippines and send it with them. They would then bring it to the church Timothy was a part of, so he could collect his gifts.”
One letter from Timothy read:
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Walker,
How are you? I hope you’re in good condition.
I would like to thank you for not forgetting me. You’re so nice and good.
God is so good to us. He gives us the body & will to get to where we want to go.
Thank you so much for the book, I like it very much.
After Timothy graduated from high school, Stafford’s executive assistant, Angie Lathrop, flew to the Philippines to meet him and informed him who “George Walker” really was. Stafford said that was the last time there was contact with Timothy.
Stafford concluded, “We may not know where Timothy is, but we know he’s now living a successful life. Sponsoring a child, even if they are still in the womb, can encourage them and guide them to become great human beings.”