Donor of the Month
November 2007
In 2001, Roy Moskowitz, an employee of DCH Auto Group, began what has become a legacy of giving and caring. Roy joined a team of runners, including organizer and now Camp Sunshine’s Executive Director Matt Hoidal on a 1,700 mile run from Florida to Maine. The Miracle Marathon, as it was appropriately named, raised more than $90,000 for Camp. Of that amount, Roy, his fellow employees, and DCH management, contributed over $10,000.
Since then DCH employees and management have continued to sponsor New Jersey families annually.
In 2007, DCH Auto Group signed on to sponsor the first annual Camp Sunshine Central Park Pumpkin Festival. At two DCH dealerships in New Jersey carving parties were held and employees and their families amassed 1,000 jack-o-lanterns which were later trucked to the event.
Additionally, eight DCH Auto Group dealerships designated Ambassador Gifts to Camp Sunshine from the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation. These gifts totaling $12,000 will help to ensure that many more families will continue to find the help and support they need at Camp Sunshine. Thanks to everyone at DCH Auto Group!
To learn more about DCH Auto Group, visit their website at www.dchauto.com
Donor of the Month
October 2007
Camp Sunshine is pleased to recognize the continuing efforts of Trucking For Kids. Over the past ten years, Trucking 4 Kids has raised more than $40,000 for Camp Sunshine through their annual “Convoy for Kids”. This event takes place each fall at Scarborough Downs in Maine with more than 100 truck drivers raising money to sponsor their trucks in the convoy that passes through the towns of Scarborough and South Portland. The festivities also include live music, food, raffles, driving skills competition, and activities for the whole family! Prizes are also awarded to the top trucks in the convoy.
This year, the Trucking for Kids Convoy raised a record $14,000 for Camp Sunshine. That is enough to send more than 9 families to Camp Sunshine! Sponsors of this year’s event included The Lions Clubs of South Portland, Maine, Maine Professional Drivers Association, Northeast Technical Institute, and Scarborough Downs.
Camp Sunshine applauds the continued dedication and hard work of the Trucking For Kids committee and would like to thank all the companies, drivers, participants, sponsors, and volunteers who helped to make the 2007 “Convoy for Kids” the most successful to date!
Donor of the Month
August 2007
The Fulshaw Family
In 2004, Sue and Todd Fulshaw, along with their daughter Kate and daughter Jane, who had been diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL), attended their first session at Camp Sunshine. The Fulshaws quickly became a part of the Camp Sunshine family and have attended the oncology sessions each year.
The Fulshaws’ love of Camp Sunshine stretches beyond attending the program sessions. The family has given back to Camp in numerous ways, including volunteering at Camp, and making donations that range from purchasing a brick in the “Pathway to the Future” and the donation of a pool table, to pledging money for the annual A.J.’s Polar Plunge. They also serve on the family recruitment committee and have worked with us to introduce new families to Camp Sunshine.
Every member of the Fulshaw family is creative. We are honored to be recipients of Mr. Fulshaw’s artwork (created after Jane was diagnosed) which hangs in the main building near the medical clinic. Earlier this year, Jane and Kate started their own fundraiser for Camp Sunshine making and selling beautiful bracelets. The girls continue to create their bracelets and send their donations to Camp. And mom Sue has offered up her marketing savvy and has assisted Camp with its membership solicitation letters.
Most recently this past July, the Fulshaws attended an Oncology session at Camp and demonstrated their generosity once again by donating a 2001 Ford Expedition XLT valued at approximately $10,000! This amazing gift will be sold with all of the proceeds going back to support the Program.
Camp Sunshine would like to thank Sue, Todd, Jane, and Kate Fulshaw for their continued support. They are true examples of the spirit of Camp Sunshine!
Donor of the Month
July 2007
Windham Automotive Fundraiser Raises Over $25,000 for Camp Sunshine!
Ron Eby, owner of Windham Automotive, Inc. in Windham, Maine is a man on a mission. Ron recently took part in the Windham SummerFest this past June and saw it as the perfect outlet to raise money for Camp Sunshine — a worthwhile cause right in his own backyard. In addition to accepting donations at his shop, Ron operated a Mexican food booth or “cantina” at the SummerFest with all the proceeds being donated to Camp Sunshine. The cantina was such a hit that Ron ran out of food half-way through the day!
Since the beginning of the year, Ron has been passionately promoting Camp Sunshine to his customers, family, friends, suppliers, and local businesses. Nothing can slow Ron down on his mission to raise as much money as he can for Camp Sunshine — he even spoke about Camp Sunshine and the fundraiser to a local EMT in an unexpected ambulance ride to the hospital this past spring! Ron’s enthusiasm for Camp is contagious! Highlights include the donation of materials for his cantina by Hancock Lumber, a donation from Napa Auto Parts, and a comedy night fundraiser organized by the Windham Fire and Rescue Department (thanks to Ron’s ambulance ride). In another show of support, all of the employees at Windham Automotive donated $5 per week from their paychecks from this past January through mid-June, when Ron matched the total amount donated to Camp. The response from Ron’s customers has also been overwhelming. Along with donations to Camp, Ron has collected stories of people who have lost their own child, spouse, or friend to a life-threatening illness. All the more motivation for this determined man.
To date, the Windham Automotive fundraiser has raised more than $25,000 for Camp Sunshine! Ron has already committed to making this an annual fundraiser for Camp and will continue to accept donations for Camp Sunshine at his shop. Camp Sunshine would like to thank Ron, the Eby family, Windham Automotive employees and customers, and everyone who helped to make this fundraiser a huge success!
Donor of the Month
June 2007
Camp Sunshine is pleased to recognize the Narragansett Number One Foundation for their recent gift of $15,000 to help purchase a brand new Dodge Caravan Mini-Van. This vehicle will enhance Camp Sunshine’s ability to transport families and volunteers to and from the local airports, train stations, and bus stations.
The Narragansett Number One Foundation is a Maine nonprofit corporation established by Pat and Erwin Wales on September 7, 2001, thirteen days after winning the national Powerball lottery drawing. The foundation aims to help its neighbors in Buxton, Maine, and surrounding areas. Specifically, they look to help schools, fire departments, police departments, parks, recreational facilities, religious organizations, libraries, shelters for children, the homeless and abused persons, museums, and shelters for animals.
Camp Sunshine would like to thank the Narragansett Number One Foundation for choosing our unique program as a recipient of their generosity. This donation enables us to continue increasing the accessibility of our program to families who would not be able to experience this much-needed respite if left to pay for their own transportation.Donor of the Month
May 2007
Windham High School Business Simulation Class
Camp Sunshine is pleased to recognize the continuing efforts of an amazing group of young people at Windham High School in Windham, Maine. Over the past seven years, the Windham High School Business Simulation Class has raised more than $45,000 for Camp Sunshine through a variety of class projects and fundraisers. That is enough to send more than 30 families to Camp Sunshine!
This amazing relationship was the brainchild of the Windham High School Business Simulation teacher Diane Leavitt. The program has grown from one class participating in the first year to four classes and over 80 students! Students have the chance to learn how to run a successful business and at the same time, the importance of giving back to the community by raising awareness and funds for Camp Sunshine, which is in their own backyard.
The most recent donation from the group was for $10,000 – their largest annual donation yet! This year’s students raised money through the school store, a fashion show, a fundraising walk, and a trip to Shawnee Peak Ski Area. Camp Sunshine applauds the dedication and hard work of all past and present Windham High School Business Simulation students and their teacher Diane Leavitt.Donor of the Month
April 2007
Partners in Caring
In March, Camp Sunshine began a new partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
We are delighted that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has chosen to fund a Back to School initiative at Camp Sunshine. The program will be run under the leadership of Camp Sunshine’s Psychosocial Director, Nancy Cincotta, LCSW, who has had over thirty years of professional experience in pediatric oncology and is a nationally recognized expert in the childhood cancer psychosocial community.
Camp Sunshine provides a unique opportunity for parents to share their experiences regarding educational issues their children have faced, as well as the solutions they have encountered, both formally and informally. Since our programs range from three to seven days, once any information is discussed in the support group, there are many opportunities for parents to seek out further information. Educational resource materials from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be available at Camp to all families served at Camp Sunshine. Internet resources will also be available for easy access or as a resource to take home.
This initiative is only one of the ways that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be partnering with Camp Sunshine. Families of children with leukemia and lymphoma can also receive financial assistance from the Society to attend Camp Sunshine.
Camp Sunshine would like to thank The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for choosing Camp Sunshine as a recipient of their generosity and for their commitment to families of children fighting blood cancers.
Donor of the Month
March 2007
New York Dinner Show “Divine Diva’s” Raises $30,000 for Camp Sunshine!
What an amazing effort! On Friday, January 12, 2007 hundreds of Camp Sunshine supporters gathered at the Triad in New York City to enjoy a night music and comedy. The dinner show featured Mindy Cooper, a Camp Sunshine volunteer since 2004 and two of her dear friends and fellow “Diva’s” Juli Posner, and Amy Miller.
These ladies originally set out to raise $10,000 to send 6 New York families to camp. But through their own passion and hard work, the event far exceeded their expectations and raised an unbelievable $30,000. That’s enough to send 20 children with a life-threatening illness and their families to camp!
Camp Sunshine applauds these three very talented ladies and all the effort that went into producing this fabulous show.
Thank you so much to the Triad, Samantha Miller, Laura Slutsky, Linda Amiel Burns and Paul Chamalon and everyone that supported this first annual event.
Donor of the Month
February 2007
The Utah Jazz, Richard Smith and The Robert D. Kent, Jr. Trust
Shooting Hoops at Camp Sunshine
In 2003, Richard Smith, the Director of Scouting for the Utah Jazz, was traveling on Delta Airlines when he saw an in-flight television program about Camp Sunshine. Coincidentally, the piece he saw was on the “Fine Living Network” where Camp Sunshine volunteer Steve Eno’s daughter works and made the connection for Camp Sunshine. Moved by the mission Richard joined us that summer as a volunteer. After recognizing the need for improvements to our basketball court he approached the management and staff at the Utah Jazz for support and they joined together to raise $5,000 towards the project. Then in 2004, Richard secured another $5,000 from the Robert D. Kent, Jr. Trust of Utah to help get the ball rolling or rather – bouncing.
This past month the Robert D. Kent, Jr. Trust joined the Jazz once again to present Camp Sunshine
an additional $10,000 to complete improvements and provide an endowment for future maintenance and
repairs of the basketball court.
The area improvements include doubling the court’s size, a complete resurfacing, new fencing, pole padding, and professional backboards. Above, families and volunteers gather with Richard Smith to say thanks to everyone at The Utah Jazz and the Robert D. Kent, Jr. Trust.
Donor of the Month
January 2007
Extraordinary Kids
These Young Adults helped Camp end 2006, and start 2007, with a bang!
As we reflect back upon the holiday season, of note are the efforts of five very special Camp Sunshine supporters. Each of these five young adults was able to spread some of the magic we know as Camp Sunshine in their own communities.
Joey Cerato On January 1st, the second annual Joey’s Plunge took place in Boston, MA. Nearly tripling last year’s efforts, Joey and numerous other thrill-seeking plungers hit the Atlantic and raised more than $16,000.
Nikki Isdaner This year-long Bat Mitzvah project culminated with a 5k run in Jupiter, FL on December 17, 2006. Gifts received in her honor, and through her fundraising efforts, total more than $8,000.
Hannah Kaye Another Bat Mitzvah project that continued into December was Hanna Kaye’s. A fellow summer camper with Nikki Isdaner, the two learned about Camp Sunshine through projects at Camp Mataponi, owned and operated by Dan and Marcy Isdaner. Hanna has also reached nearly $5,000 in her efforts.
Samantha Lafer Involving her entire school, Samantha created a walk and bake sale for Camp. She hopes to create another event in the spring as well as help bring students from John Jay High School to volunteer this summer. Samantha also surpassed $5,000 in fundraising for her efforts. Special thanks also to the administration at John Jay High School, advisor Ann Cunniff and to Samantha’s fellow students: Vice Pres. Catherine Crystal, Members Kristen Buonassissi, Jacklyn Cohen, Erica Davis, Brian Dibetta, Kevin Drew, Ben Goldfarb, Tyler Granelli, Keagon Gross, Lily Kerneza, Jessica Koren, Cameron Kraus, Emily Morris, Katherine Pickel, Ali Reitman, Denise Reitman, Emily Sanders, and Zach Weil.
Lauren Feigelman Camp Sunshine’s Freezin’ for a Reason polar plunges expanded into Vermont with the help of Lauren Feigelman. Unable to attend any of the other plunges because her family was vacationing – she created her own event in Stowe. With only a week and a half to fundraise she reached $1,500 to sponsor an entire family at Camp.
Thanks to each of these inspiring young adults for choosing Camp Sunshine to be the recipient of their generosity. Collectively, their efforts raised more than $33,000. That will be enough to send 22 families to Camp Sunshine in 2007!
Throughout 2006 there were many other similar stories of caring and support. Camp Sunshine would like to extend a special thanks to all the children and young adults who helped make a difference in 2006.
P.S. Stay tuned for more exciting events to benefit Camp in 2007,
to be organized and executed by inspiring kids and young adults.
