LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Connect |
by Andrea Andrus |
Connections. April comes from Aperio which means "to open." It is the month in which the buds shoot forth because April showers water and cleanse the earth. Often, April is described as "love's spring." Others believe that April is a promise of good times and financial success. For CAMP Rehoboth and our community, it is the blooming of our "fundraising season" with the Women's Conference Weekend in April; the HeArt of the Community Art Preview in May; the Founders' Circle Black & White Beach Ball and the Mermaid Splash Women's Dance in June; Love 2004 and CAMP Rehoboth Follies in July; Sundance 2004 in September; and the Starburst Gayla Women's New Year's Eve Dance in December. Through these events, we raise financial capital and "real" (people) capital to continue to build and strengthen our community. It is also the time to renew old acquaintances, welcome new friends and celebrate all that our community has to offer. During this season, we come together through our shared expectations, values and beliefs. Each of us will contribute to CAMP Rehoboth's good times, its financial success and its evolution because we believe in its mission and team spirit. Those who attended our Community Strategic Planning Session clearly demonstrated the power of community and their beliefs in social change. Because of our incredible community strength and support, CAMP Rehoboth's doors will be open this season to welcome everyone into our home with room for all.
Founders' Circle. We know that our Founders' Circle Capital Campaign, to raise $1,000,000 over five years, is a challenge to the generosity of our supporters. As we enter the fourth year of the campaign, our 252 Charter Members have pledged $649,284 and have paid $342,051 in pledge payments. They have given beyond our expectations and make us feel confident about the future of a full-service CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. We still need to raise over $300,000 in the next two years so that we can reach our goal to build an inclusive space with and without walls. So, we need those of you who believe in our mission to bring your commitment to community and your love for our Community Center and join the Founders' Circle. Through this effort all of us will have the ways and means to allocate power, influence, and decision making in all things that affect us in our community. You can join as a new member, upgrade your existing membership, or give a gift of membership by completing the pledge form included with this article. You can choose your level of membership from one of our eight levels that fits almost any budget. From $100 to $15,000 and above, your membership pledge will make a difference. For a tax-deductible contribution, your name or the name of a loved one will be inscribed in our official Founders' Circle records, on our Founders' Circle "Thank You" Board, and depending upon your level, on an actual part of the Community Center once it is redesigned and rebuilding is completed. Attend the magnificent Founders' Circle Black & White Beach Ball as a member and stand proud with your fellow Founders' Circle members in knowing that you have made a donation to your future. This annual donor recognition event, along with the HeArt of the Community Art Auction, will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2004 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel. It is our way of saying thank you to our supporters and to new members who keep our Capital Campaign energized and alive. Let's join together to meet the challenge and make the Founders' Circle Capital Campaign an overwhelming success! Pledge Form available in PDF format HERE Community Outreach. CAMP Rehoboth is working with Camp To Belong (CTB), an international non-profit organization, that has been reuniting brothers and sisters placed in separate foster, adoptive or kinship homes through camp programs and reunions since 1995. Its primary goal is to provide a sense of belonging to youth as individuals, and as siblings, while they journey through and beyond the social service system. The organization consists entirely of volunteers and is funded through donations. How will CAMP Rehoboth be involved? Many of you will remember Mary LoVerde, our keynote speaker at last year's Women's Conference. Mary is the national spokesperson for Camp To Belong. She has created a wonderful way to support the program by asking others to donate jewelry they no longer wear, scarves they receive in the wrong color or purses (in good condition) that they no longer use. These accessories will be sold at fundraising parties and 100 percent of the proceeds will be used to send children to camp with their siblings, creating a memory-making family adventure for children who are in foster care. Mary contacted CAMP Rehoboth to participate. We have agreed to be a fundraising captain for her program and to work toward sending foster children in Delaware to Camp To Belong. If you have jewelry, scarves or purses that you would like to donate now, please bring them to the CAMP table at the Womens' Conference or to the CAMP office. For additional information, visit the Camp To Belong website at www.camptobelong.com or contact Andrea at the CAMP office or at andrea@camprehoboth.com. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 14, No.3 April 9, 2004 |