Bridges of Trust

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.

The father said to his daughter: “Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the cold river below."

The little girl said: "No, daddy. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.
"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my
hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not found in its obligation to bind people together, but in its ability to bond people together. In all relationships, bridges are among the most powerful and important symbols of society’s ability to connect, to communicate, to cooperate and to trust. 

Charlie and Robbie Kaman recognized the importance of trust and bridges. To create a perpetual Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, beyond the scope of their home kennel, they had to place their trust in others. It was their hope that others would find value in their life’s dream and, with only the blind and visually disabled in mind, bridges would be built to places that they could not imagine.

Fidelco is very proud of the many bridges we’ve built during our first five decades of providing increased independence to men and women who are blind. Although our bridges are not physical structures made of steel or stone, Fidelco’s bridges will outlast all others because they are built of the emotionally bonding component of trust.

Fidelco bridges built of this trust symbolize the collective efforts of many people: donors, volunteers, fosters and staff. People who are bonded together by common determination and passionate support of our Mission. People who will not let go of others in need as they search for a bridge from lives of solitary darkness towards lives of independence, mobility and purpose. People just like you.

At Fidelco, we take trust very seriously.

We teach our clients to “trust the dog” so that they will have very productive, safe and loving partnerships with their Guide Dogs.

We trust our foster families to care for our life’s work as they raise our future Guide Dog puppies in their homes and with their families.

We work daily to earn our donors’ trust by making prudent business decisions in service of our Mission.

At Fidelco, we embrace trust every day. Our continued success requires it.

And just as the little girl on the bridge asked her father, I am asking you to please hold the hand of those who need you. Please do not let go of Fidelco’s Mission.

Forward, together.

Eliot D. Russman
CEO & Executive Director