LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Connect |
by Beth Fitton |
Connect
You just can't make this stuff up! Many, many people know the public face of CAMP Rehoboth. I hope that what I offer now is a glimpse behind the scenes. I can't say it was a typical Monday at CAMP Rehoboth because we don't have a definition for "typical" here. I will say that through all of what follows, Kathy and I did attempt to move forward on our individual "to do" lists. We had one volunteer in getting all of the paid subscriptions for Letters from CAMP Rehoboth ready for mailing. Two volunteers from the CAMP Courtyard Rainbow Thumb group had come in very early to clean the courtyard and water the plants. Another volunteer was processing the charges from the weekend Love Bachelor Auction. Our treasurer was in to gather the latest financial transactions. Community members came in to see when Murray Archibald's newest art was going to be displayed. Visitors came in for the latest information on Rehoboth Beach restaurants and bars. The telephone rang repeatedly with questions about tickets, testing and surveys. A discussion of the Bachelor Auction (this year featuring a father and son team) ensued and one of the attendees was asked how it was. "If you're selling human flesh, it was pretty tasteful" he quipped. He did go on to say that it had been very successful; the "Mistress" of Ceremonies did a fabulous job; the bachelors were cute; and the buyers were generous. All this activity happened before 11:00 a.m. It was at this point that someone from the CAMP Courtyard came in to say that the trash men had knocked the electrical service meter off (Yes, off!) the building shorting out Lori's Caf, Community Pride Financial Services, Shirts and Shoes Required and the apartment above. Well, for the next four or five hours the focus switched to the power company and the electrician, lost business and where to find refrigerator space so food would not spoil. We knew all was well again when a Lori's employee sang out in a powerful theater voice that the power was on. Focus back on CAMP Rehoboth The Courtyard was clean and the plants watered. Letters from CAMP Rehoboth were mailed out on time. The bank deposit was made. Community members received their information as did the visitors. Tickets were sold; surveys and testing were scheduled. I remember some years ago when I worked for a library system in Maryland that I was sitting at the table in the director's office with a number of other managers. We were talking about the activity level in one library branch and stress on staff. One of the managers commented that she was afraid that a couple of named staff members would "burn out." I knew those particular staff and assured her that they had never been "on fire." Please know that the CAMP Rehoboth staff are on fire and with the help of truly great volunteers we will survive our typical and atypical days. Founders' Circle Thanks to the truly generous and caring community here in Rehoboth Beach, we have continued to receive upgrades to the Founders' Circle. We appreciate the increased funds and the continued commitment to the Community Center. The upgraded memberships and recent payments have resulted in the Founders' Circle totals reaching $1,352,703.60 pledged and $1,074,752.37 contributed Beth Fitton is Development Director at CAMP Rehoboth. She may be reached by e-mail at beth@camprehoboth.com. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 17, No. 8 June 29, 2007 |