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Kaepernicking: More than a meme for heart camp kids
camp taylor pic
The kids of Camp Taylor show off their "Kaepernicking" skills at Mavis Stouffer Park in Ripon on Friday. A portion of the proceeds of the official Kaepernicking t-shirt sales goes to the children's heart camp. - photo by HIME ROMERO / The Journal

It started with a kiss — but has become much more than that.

When San Francisco 49ers quarterback and hometown hero Colin Kaepernick kissed his bicep after a touchdown run, he started a Niner Nation sensation called "Kaepernicking."

It is now common to see men, women and children of all ages kiss their arm in celebration of a coupon deal, family poker night victory, or just for fun and YouTube.

On Friday, the kids of Camp Taylor put their Kaepernicking skills to the test at a Ripon park to show their support of the 49ers QB and promote the meme's official t-shirt. A portion of the proceeds of the t-shirt sales goes to the Central Valley organization that puts on camps for children with congenital heart defects, and their families.

"For our heart campers, who can't ever play, Colin gives them a reason to love football," said Camp Taylor founder and director Kimberlie Gamino. "He's their hero; more than that, he's their friend."

Camp Taylor has a special place in Kaepernick's heart. He has supported the camp over the past few years in honor of his parents, Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, who lost two young sons to heart problems before they adopted Colin.

Gamino and the Camp Taylor kids are now die-hard Niner fans and look forward to watching Kaepernick take his team all the way to the Super Bowl.

"The kids are having a lot of fun with it," Gamino said about the t-shirts and meme.

To purchase an official Kaepernicking t-shirt, visit http://www.sportiqe.com/womens-colin-kaepernick-shirt/.

For more information on Camp Taylor, go to www. KidsHeartCamp.org.