CAMP Connect

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man’s prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation." Labor Day, created by the labor movement, is a national holiday that is over 100 years old. Dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers, it is an annual tribute to the contributions workers have made to the prosperity, strength, and well-being of our country.

Over the years, Labor Day has evolved from a purely working class celebration to a general "last fling of summer" and the unofficial end of the summer season. But, since its creation, Labor Day has always been about people connecting and working together. In the first proposal for the holiday, it was suggested that its observance and celebration should be a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. As our CAMP Rehoboth community prepares for Sundance, our "last fling of summer," it will be the peak of celebration for the season. It’s time for the exciting auction and a fun and vibrant dance that will unite us all one last time this summer season. Join us to show our "strength and esprit de corps" as we enter September and gently mark the beginning of autumn which will be our next season full of community pride.

Founders’ Circle

On this last holiday of the summer, let’s honor not only the huge contributions that workers have made to the strength and prosperity of our country but also honor our 297 Founders’ Circle members who have pledged $752,329 to our Founders’ Circle Capital Campaign for our own community’s strength and prosperity. Our Capital Campaign is truly a community project, as well as a "labor of love," to create a full-service Community Center that will connect all of us and provide our community with the education, information, resources and support that we need to lead happy and healthy lives.

Once we reach our Capital Campaign goal, we will need to ensure that our Community Center remains financially solvent and vibrant. We have great faith that the CAMP Rehoboth team and all of you in our community will provide support in various ways to make that happen. Embrace the real spirit of community by joining the Founders’ Circle Capital Campaign or give a gift of membership to a loved one. Complete the pledge form included in this issue of Letters by choosing from one of the eight membership levels. Decide if you want your name on a brick, a tile, a door or even on a room. We have several ways that you can make payment(s) that fits your budget. We accept cash; checks; credit cards (American Express, Mastercard and VISA); or you can give a gift of real estate or appreciated stock. You can also make the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center a beneficiary of your will or life insurance policy. If you work for a company that has a matching gift program, take advantage of that opportunity to double your contribution to your community. Let us know how you would like to be recognized in our Founders’ Circle official records and then submit your completed form to the CAMP Rehoboth office. We’ll do the rest. As our way of saying thank you, you’ll receive neat Founder’s Circle gift(s) as our way of saying thank you. CAMP Rehoboth is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

All of us at CAMP Rehoboth wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. We hope to see you at the Sundance events as we all pay tribute to the strength of our community and to the end of another wonderful summer together.

Pledge Form available in PDF format HERE