Camp Sunshine

A RETREAT FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES

Donor Of The Month Archive - 2004

Supporting Children Around the Globe

By creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well being of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities is working to better the lives of children and their families around the world.

To date, Ronald McDonald House Charities and their global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $400 million dollars in grants worldwide towards their mission to make an immediate and positive impact on as many children as possible. With the support of more than 180 independent local Chapters in 47 countries - as well as hundreds of thousands of passionate and caring people – they’ve had plenty of success.

Camp Sunshine’s partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities and Ronald McDonald Houses began with their support of our capital campaign in 1989. Since then Ronald McDonald House Charities and several of its affiliates have contributed nearly $70,000 to both the construction of Camp Sunshine, and towards the sponsorship of a number of families to attend our Program.

In 2004, Camp Sunshine and various Ronald McDonald Houses partnered to offer a special session at Camp exclusively to families who have stayed at a Ronald McDonald House during their child’s treatment. The session was a great opportunity for each organization to show their respect, gratitude, and admiration for the other’s efforts. We would like to thank Ronald McDonald House Charities, its affiliated chapters, and houses for believing in the vision of Camp Sunshine and helping to insure its continued success for the future.

Special Thanks to:

Donor of the Month – November 2004

Reaching Out to the Needs of the Entire Family

This past summer, the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation sponsored 32 New York-area children with lupus and their families—a 30 percent increase over last year—for a week at Camp Sunshine. For years the foundation has understood the importance of the experience for young people as well as for their immediate families and how camp addresses the impact of a serious disease on the whole family.

One camper who benefited from the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s generosity was Diana Caraballo, who is restricted from running, jumping and other strenuous activities as a result of a broken hip, and was forced to be home-schooled for two years. Diana takes multiple medications for her lupus and often stays at home. She admits that she is lonely and jealous of her twin sister, Jessica, who spends more time with friends and takes dance lessons.

At Camp Sunshine, Diana socialized and interacted with many other youngsters with lupus. Attending the camp also provided Sonia, Diana’s mother, with more information about lupus, and a chance to discuss many issues with other parents. “Not only do the children bond with others their age at camp through organized activities, but parents also have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of other families with lupus in daily support group-like meetings,” Sonia said.

Past support combined with this year’s contribution brings the S.L.E. Lupus Foundations total gifts to Camp Sunshine to more than $140,000.00! We would like to thank everyone at the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation for their unwavering commitment to Camp Sunshine, and children with Lupus and their families.

Donor of the Month – September 2004

Hancock Lumber, Hancock Land, and the Hancock Family Supporting Camp Sunshine for Over a Decade

When Camp Sunshine Board Chairman Tim Porta recently turned to Hancock Lumber for help in procuring 74 screen doors for Camp Sunshine’s family, volunteer, and professional housing units, Hancock President & CEO Kevin Hancock made sure Camp Sunshine was taken care of.

In just a few days following Tim’s call, Hancock representative Dan Edwards visited Camp Sunshine, took some measurements, and met with Tim to figure out which doors would work best, as we were looking for doors that would work well while Camp is in session during the winter time. Shortly thereafter, the doors were ordered, and the shipment was received by Camp Sunshine within a few weeks – but the invoice would not follow, as this was a gift from Hancock Lumber.

A sixth generation family-owned company, Hancock Lumber’s support is very fitting, given Camp Sunshine’s family focus. For over a decade, Hancock Lumber, Hancock Land, and the entire Hancock Family have invested in Camp Sunshine, helping us to be the successful organization we are today. Their support began back in the early 1990’s when Hancock’s then President David Hancock joined Camp Sunshine’s Board of Directors. Back then Camp Sunshine was planning the construction of its new Campus, to which Hancock Lumber would eventually donate generous amounts of building materials. David would eventually serve as Chairman of the Board. His wife Carol also served on the Board a few years later.

Sadly, David passed away to cancer in 1998. But his legacy of generosity lives on, and his family has remained supportive of Camp Sunshine by sponsoring families, giving to our annual campaign, and participating in our annual golf tournament at Point Sebago Resort. Hancock Lumber and Hancock Land have been faithful sponsors of the event for many years, and David’s wife Carol, sons Kevin and Matt, and their wives Alison and Tracy, have all played in the tournament (most, if not all, of whom have either won or placed highly in the event).

Hancock Lumber’s donation of 74 screen doors will allow us to save thousands of dollars, which we can use to bring more sick children and their families to Camp Sunshine. On behalf of these families, and all of us at Camp Sunshine, we sincerely thank Kevin Hancock and the entire Hancock family for their continued support over the years.

To learn more about Hancock Lumber and/or Hancock Land, please visit their websites at www.hancocklumber.com and www.hancockland.com.

Donor of the Month - August 2004

K.O.A. Care Camps

The KOA Care Camps program began in 1984 with establishment of the Care Camps Trust. That year donations from KOA owners and their campers totaled $7,100, which was divided among six camps for children with cancer. Today, through the continued generosity and dedication of KOA owners and campers, the program has grown steadily, and presently the Care Camps Trust is able to contribute to a total of 37 camps.

KOA Kampground Owners are dedicated to raising funds for children’s cancer camps throughout the United States and in Canada. More than 300 KOA Kampground owners throughout North America have contributed 20,200 free campsites for KOA's first Come Camp With Us Day on Friday, May 14.

"We think Come Camp With Us Day will be a great event for KOA Kampgrounds for years to come," said KOA President & CEO Jim Rogers. "It's gratifying to see so many of our owners taking part in this first effort. It will benefit our campers and our campgrounds."

Camp Sunshine has been the fortunate recipient of KOA’s generosity since 2002. To date more than $10,000 has been raised for Camp Sunshine’s families. We thank all of the KOA owners and camper for their ongoing support and…..

…..their shared love of the family camping experience.

Donor of the Month - June 2004

Boston Ladder & Scaffolding and P&G Masonry Restoration & Scaffolding, Inc. Help Camp Sunshine Build its Program

In October 2003, Boston Ladder & Scaffolding and P&G Masonry Restoration & Scaffolding, Inc. sponsored Camp Sunshine’s pumpkin festival in Portland, Maine, where they generously donated the use of miles of scaffolding equipment, along with a wonderful crew who assembled the scaffolding towers at no cost to Camp Sunshine. Their support of the festival enabled us to raise over $50,000 to expand our program.

Anyone who attended the festival stood in awe of the two 30-35 foot high towers, each filled with over 1,000 carved pumpkins. Our favorite, naturally, was the Camp Sunshine tower, where we proudly displayed our banner in front of the 15,000-20,000 festival-goers. Besides raising a significant amount of money for Camp Sunshine, the pumpkin festival helped us raise a great deal of awareness for our program.

Boston Ladder & Scaffolding is part of LYN-LAD GROUP LTD., a full line manufacturer and distributor of ladders, scaffolding, truck equipment and specialty items. For over 55 years, Lynn Ladder has been dedicated to providing the highest quality products and service in the industry. In addition, Lynn Ladder’s rental division offers a full range of products, erection services and dismantling services.

P&G Masonry Restoration & Scaffolding, Inc.. P&G is a Maine owned business incorporated in July of 1999. P&G is an independent contractor specializing in masonry restoration, erection/dismantle of scaffolding, and while scaffolding is erected until the time of dismantle--rental of the scaffolding. P&G has focused on the New England area and is based in southern Maine.

We are truly indebted to the kind folks at Boston Ladder & Scaffolding and P&G Masonry Restoration & Scaffolding, Inc. for their kind support of our program and for helping us serve the many more sick children and families who need our services.

To learn more about these great companies, please visit Boston Ladder & Scaffolding and P&G Masonry Restoration & Scaffolding, Inc.

Donor of the Month - May 2004

Maine Lions Clubs - District 41L & 41I - Bronx Lions Clubs

Maine Lions Clubs, Bronx Lions and the Lions Clubs International Foundation Help Light up Sick Kids’ Smiles Year-round with a Generator

South Portland Lions Club member and Past District Governor Tom Bakker, recently announced that the Maine Lions Clubs & Bronx, NY Lions Clubs had raised more than $56,000 towards the $112,000 necessary to purchase and install a much-needed generator for the Camp Sunshine Campus. The Lions Clubs International Foundation has agreed to match this gift and donate the remaining $56,000.

For many years, Maine Lions have generously supported the Camp’s mission to provide respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. With the generator, Camp Sunshine can now offer respites year-round, without the risk of power outages, and can serve even more families.

The Generator Project began in late 2002 when Generator Project Chairman Bakker, President Bob Burbank, and then District Governor, James Eaton, sought its endorsement from the South Portland Lions Club. Several months later, District Governor, Bob Swett, Bakker and Matt Hoidal, Camp Sunshine’s Executive Director, elicited the support of the Lions Club of the Bronx, New York. Marty Grossman, a Bronx Lion and Camp Sunshine Board member arranged for his Club’s $10,000 contribution. Marty also recruited support from other Lions Clubs in his area.

By late 2003, Maine Clubs had raised $43,000 and were eligible to apply for matching funds from the Lions Clubs International Foundation. The grant was approved in March 2004.

Past support from LCIF and Lions Clubs from around the country, combined with Lions and LCIF commitments for 2004, brings the Lions’ total gifts to Camp Sunshine to more than $400,000.00! We are truly indebted to LCIF and all the Lions for their unwavering commitment to Camp Sunshine and children with life threatening illnesses and their families.

Donor of the Month - April 2004

Since 2001, the Church on the Cape and its parishioners have been committed to the success of Camp Sunshine through volunteerism and financial support.

The relationship began after Joan and David Sutter saw a local volunteer outreach program on Maine’s NBC affiliate, WCSH, called “Many Hands.” While watching the program Dave commented to his wife, “I could do that”, to which Joan responded “If you can than I certainly can.” The rest, as they say, is history. After the Sutters spent a week at Camp Sunshine, they returned to their Church to share the experience.

Soon others volunteered:

Meanwhile, the Church began their financial support of Camp Sunshine by donating to the Family Sponsorship Program. To date the Church’s Outreach Program has generously donated over $6,000.00 to Camp Sunshine. To all of the parishioners, we thank you so much for helping us restore hope to families in crisis.

The Church on the Cape’s mission statement might just say it all.

"Do all the good you can / in all the ways you can / in all the places you can / at all the times you can / to all the people you can / as long as ever you can."

John Wesley's quote from "Rules of Conduct"

If your church, synagogue, or place of worship would like to become involved in helping Camp Sunshine, please give us a call at the Camp Sunshine office (207) 655-3800

Donor of the Month - March 2004

Ensuring Fun & Recreation at Camp Sunshine

When the Tzell family of companies join together, things get done. After seeing the need to underwrite our playground Tzell Travel Group founder and president Barry Liben rallied the troops and raised $50,000 for Camp Sunshine.

The Playground includes swings, multiple slides, bridges, and even a rock climbing area. Families and Volunteers gather below to say thanks to everyone at Tzell.

The Tzell Travel Group combines the service, dedication, agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a small agency and the vendor relations, technology, resources, and clout of a mega-agency.

To date the Tzell Travel Group, its Ownership, and Associates have raised more than $80,000 for Camp Sunshine. A heartfelt thanks to everyone at Tzell for ensuring kids (and their Moms & Dads) will be able to laugh and play at Camp Sunshine.

Donor of the Month - February 2004

THE BAROVICK FAMILY FOUNDATION

Camp Sunshine is pleased to announce that it has received a gift of $25,000 from Joan and Richard Barovick, and family, to establish The Barovick Family Sponsorship Fund at Camp Sunshine. Income from this gift to Camp Sunshine’s Endowment Fund will be used to sponsor a family every year, in perpetuity.

The gift was a result of the Barovick family taking some time out of their vacation at nearby Migis Lodge to visit the Camp Sunshine campus. The family had previously purchased bricks in our Angel Walkway and thought it would be nice to see the facility first hand.

Obviously moved by the efforts and mission of Camp Sunshine, the Barovicks wanted to ensure that families will continue to receive the benefits of Camp Sunshine for years to come.

Camp Sunshine salutes the Barovick Family Foundation for their assistance in building and strengthening the Program for the future.

*If you would like to leave a legacy in the form of a Sponsorship Fund in your name or a loved one’s name please contact the Camp Sunshine office. Multi- year pledges for this unique and everlasting opportunity are available.

Donor of the Month - January 2004

Forever in the Hearts of so Many

The Michael J. Dunleavy Foundation was conceived in the fall of 2002 following the passing of Michael James Dunleavy. Michael, 8 years old at the time, succumbed to an inoperable brain tumor which was first diagnosed in the late spring of that year. The Foundation was born out of Michael's own desire to help other children who had cancerous brain tumors or other illnesses and their families.

Once, while on vacation at the family's summer home in Maine, Michael organized a "Lemonade Stand" enlisting the help of his brothers, sisters and some friends. When asked what he was going to do with the money they earned Michael replied, "give it to charity to help fight cancer."

The Michael J. Dunleavy Foundation focuses on childhood cancers and brain tumor research as well as treatment and assistance for children and families afflicted with this illness. All proceeds go to support these types of research or to organizations that assist families during these difficult times.

Half of the generous $10,000 gift to Camp Sunshine will be used to underwrite a mini-golf hole, as Mini-golf was one of Michael’s favorite summer past times. The rest will be used by Camp Sunshine to create an annual award for a waterfront activity.

 
Sponsors