The Rehoboth Beach community is unique in the world. It is the place we have all chosen to live, work, play, and raise our families. We all know about our beaches, our beautiful neighborhoods, and our vibrant downtown businesses. But hidden below what we see and feel every day there are often overlooked heroes.
One of these heroes is Sal Seeley, who heads one of CAMP Rehoboth’s most successful programs, the CAMPsafe program. For 14 years, the program has offered HIV prevention and screening, STI testing, health counseling, and outreach. Although originally established in 1998 primarily to prevent HIV infections and reinfections among gay and bisexual men, in 2011 CAMPsafe provided health counseling services to almost 200 men and women in eastern Sussex County and the Rehoboth Beach area without regard to whether they are straight or gay. Since 2004, the program has provided HIV testing for over 2100 men and women, and helped to keep more than 20,000 Delawareans and visitors safe and healthy through our educational programs and bar, beach, and special event outreach.
In these hard times, when public health programs are under great financial pressure, CAMP Rehoboth is proud to be recognized for the success we have had in the ongoing battle against HIV and AIDS. With Sal’s leadership, CAMPsafe has recently received our 14th consecutive contract with the Delaware Department of Public Health, backed by funding from the Centers for Disease Control.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, we thank the Department for their confidence in our program, and thank all the tireless volunteers who have made this such an important part of what we do. We especially thank Sal Seeley for his dedication to, and leadership of, this important program.
Howard Menaker
CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors
Toy Drive at L Bar
Saturday, December 3rd, we hosted the 4th annual Toy Drive at the L Bar in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Once again, our community and businesses in Rehoboth Beach rallied in support of the children and clients of the Sussex County HIV/AIDS Wellness Clinic as well as those in need in Rehoboth Beach this winter season. Combined with donations received at CAMP Rehoboth, this year we collected over 365 toys, along with 80 pairs of hats, gloves and scarves.
This event would not have been possible without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you:
- Mark Fernstrom and John Meng for continuing to host our event at the L Bar.
- Steve Elkins and Sal Seeley for advertising in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and promoting the event.
- Bryan Hecksher and Sal Seeley for helping to collect and transport the toys
- Steve Ranger for his promotion on the L Bar website
- Everyone for their support, promotion, donations and help at the event!
- The items will go a long way to making a difference to those in need.
Paul Masterson
Mr. Double L Leather 2008