Belonging Matters

Here’s news: Sarah McBride won her primary for Delaware State Senate, becoming the first transgender candidate to do so. If she wins, she will become the highest ranking transgender elected official in the country. Eric Morrison also won his primary for the State House. I am proud to live in a state where the doors are open for all candidates without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sundance has come and gone, and locals’ season is officially underway. COVID has changed a lot of things, but it can’t stop the seasons. As much as I would like to have a few more weeks of summer, my husband Khusan has already begun searching for the best socially-distanced pumpkin patch and corn maze in Delaware. After the past few months, I should know that change is inevitable. Pumpkin spice, however, will be optional.  

But before we close the chapter on summer, I want to reflect on how truly amazing Sundance was. I am so grateful to the sponsors, team captains, hosts, volunteers, and supporters who made our biggest annual fundraiser a success even in the middle of a pandemic. As Murray writes in this issue, even without the fan dancers and mirror balls we found a way to make Sundance happen, and that was something we all needed.

For me, the best part was attending several Sundance-at-Large events over the week and seeing CAMP Rehoboth supporters out in the community. As many reflect in this issue of Letters, CAMP Rehoboth can’t be fully described without knowing who we are. CAMP Rehoboth is an amazing, generous, caring community of people that I am grateful to be a part of. Many Sundance gatherings were small in size; still, seeing many of you and having a chance to connect face to face, or rather, mask to mask, put a smile on my face, even if you couldn’t see it!  

Our members make CAMP Rehoboth and our local community such a great place to live and visit. Anita Broccolino highlights one of our members, Linda Bova, in this issue. Thank you to Linda and thank you to all our generous supporters.

Also in this issue, Eric Peterson and Kerry Hallet both reflect on what this community has meant to them. Eric has been part of CAMP Rehoboth for many years, while Kerry is a more recent addition. Nevertheless, they both have found a powerful sense of connection and community here, just like I did when I moved here last summer. 

And even though with COVID precautions it’s not quite the same, I’m thrilled we’ve been able to create a wide variety of online programs to connect with each other. Whether you are staying home, or venturing out as safely as possible, you are an important part of this community and we want to stay connected.

Online or in person, we know it’s our members who make all our efforts possible. In these unpredictable, challenging times, we simply don’t know what the next year will hold for us. Many nonprofit organizations like ours are struggling.  

Our members, however, are the much-needed anchor in the midst of this storm. Your continued support is needed now more than ever. We realize that not everyone is in a position to support us at this time. But If you are able, I hope you will consider either becoming a member or increasing your annual membership. You can sign up online anytime at camprehoboth.com, or reach out to Development Director Anita Broccolino at anita@camprehoboth.com.

Enjoy this issue of Letters!