CAMP Connect

December 14, 2005 at about 1:00 p.m., I let out a scream that you may have heard. That was the moment that we received the pledge putting us over the $1 million mark. I was so excited that I wanted to call everyone I know. Then I got worried!

My concern was that everybody who heard the news would assume that we had gone from Mission Impossible to Mission Accomplished. You see—there were people who said that our community could not raise a million dollars. They simply did not understand the caring, giving community that we call home. Now, my challenge has become explaining both how very much we have achieved and how far we still need to go.

We were still in the 1990s when CAMP Rehoboth supporters and board members started talking about what the community wanted CAMP Rehoboth to become. The answers coming back from a variety of meetings and people seemed to be, do more of the same in a space where people can come together. By 2000, the concept of a community center was firmly established. Then came the reality that it would take a $1 million capital campaign to purchase or construct a building.

Fate being the funny thing that it is, 39 Baltimore Avenue (where we were renting) became available for purchase and we jumped at the chance. As we worked with the architect and the local building codes, we realized that even with the three story building we were planning, we would not have all the space we had hoped or needed for the future. Once again, fate entered and 37 Baltimore Avenue was for sale. CAMP Rehoboth’s board and a group of advisors did the math, took a deep breath and decided that we should keep 39 Baltimore Avenue for current income and make an offer on 37 Baltimore. After much negotiating, CAMP Rehoboth bought the second building. Now, our community owns more than $4 million worth of real estate which was purchased/mortgaged for a bit over $2.5 million.

What is most important in all this is that we now have the space to serve our community and do the things that the community was asking of us. We are able to host support groups, hold health screenings, art openings and game nights, do HIV testing, outreach and counseling plus continue the services that we offered in the past. The Community Center is really a lively place to be. We have folks using the library, searching the internet on the public access computer, and individuals catching up with old friends and acquaintances—connecting with each other and enjoying the opportunity, if the laughter is any indication.

Though we have reached our original goal of $1 million allowing us to purchase the properties at both 37 and 39 Baltimore Avenue and to renovate 37 Baltimore, the rising costs of construction will necessitate our raising additional money to add the multi-purpose meeting room onto the back of 37 Baltimore Avenue. We have extended the Founders’ Circle Capital Campaign scheduled to end in June 2006 to Labor Day weekend of this year. This will give newcomers an opportunity to join the Founders’ Circle and we will still allow the same five years for donors to complete their pledge. If the past is any predictor, we should be able to add enough to the campaign to move forward with the construction phase.

Founders’ Circle

Since Thanksgiving when I last reported to you, 43 more members of our community have become members of the CAMP Rehoboth Founders’ Circle capital campaign. Plus, more members have increased their commitment to the Community Center. Pledges have grown by $54,469 while money received has increased by $60,089.12. This brings our totals to 491 pledges equaling $1,026,547.08 with $764,734.30 being paid.

If you are not a member, please consider adding your name to the Founders’ Circle permanent records. A donation also makes a very fitting gift for birthdays and anniversaries. You will be making an investment in our community, plus it’s a great tax deduction. CAMP Rehoboth is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

CAMP Rehoboth’s board and staff appreciate the commitment of all who have become recent members of the Founders’ Circle, upgraded your original pledge, or made your pledge payment. You are providing the opportunity for our community to come together. (I bet you never thought that you would own a share in real estate that is a block and a half from the ocean!)