In recognition of CAMP Rehoboth’s 20th anniversary, we’re continuing our Volunteer Spotlight to honor many of the behind-the-scenes heroes that we’re so fortunate to have in our CAMP family.
The Spotlight will be an ongoing column in Letters and will feature recipients who’ve been selected by the volunteers themselves and you, our readers.
If you know someone whose efforts are worthy of consideration, please make a nomination. We’ll be maintaining a database that will be used to help determine future recipients. Email us at infocamprehoboth.com.
Better yet, come join us. We always need new volunteers!
Ward Ellinger and Allen Jarmon Talk About CAMP
Ward and Allen reside at 113 Kings Creek Road in Rehoboth with their dog, Jordan, and cat, Maude. Ward is an acclaimed artist and owns Ward Ellinger Gallery, located in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard. Allen has been one of the area’s most successful realtors for over a decade. He works out of the RE/MAX office on Rehoboth Ave.
How long have you been volunteering for CAMP? And what/who first prompted you to get involved?
We’ve been volunteering for at least 16 years. Steve (Elkins) and Murray (Archibald) first encouraged us to get involved.
What have you enjoyed most about your volunteer experience?
Seeing the progression of the dream of a real community center becoming a reality, and watching the positive influence and impact that CAMP has had. Also seeing the new future of CAMP unfold and knowing that what is being built today will mold the future of our community, keeping CAMP a safe haven with “room for all.”
Best memory helping CAMP?
Each and every Sundance has probably been our best memory. Being there at the beginning of set-up each year, as we unload the storage units and deliver Murray’s design elements to the convention center, watching it be transformed into a magical land for a few nights, then staying to the end as the last of the décor is returned to the storage units, and the center returns to the plain drab room it started as. Plus, the good times (and stressful too!) as all of the volunteers work as one to pull it all together and seeing the excitement of new volunteers joining the ranks.
If you had an extra hour in the day, what would you do?
Oh what we would give for that! We’d love to take our kayaks out on the ocean for the first time in years.
If you could spend a full day with one person, who would it be? Why?
As corny as it sounds, we would love to spend a full day with each other! Our hectic schedules don’t leave us much time alone, so it would be nice to have a whole day together with no demands on our time.
“Wouldn’t you like to be a CAMPer too?” How would you help encourage someone to get involved with CAMP?
We try to encourage new people to volunteer every chance we get. Some of us (speak for yourself, Ward!) are not getting any younger, so it’s important that we get more young blood in to help take over some of the responsibilities and to bring in new and fresh ideas. All it takes is asking someone you know and encouraging them to get involved. Once they start, they usually get hooked on the positive feelings that come from volunteerism.
SHHHH! Please provide a little known fact about you…until now, that is:
Ward: I grew up on a farm, milked cows, and I’m addicted to chocolate!
Allen: Well, Ward says I snore, but I’ve never heard me snoring, so I don’t believe him!
One favorite thing about Rehoboth…
Having a place where we live that we can walk down the street holding hands!
To vote for a volunteer for the Spotlight, send the name to infocamprehoboth.com.