LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Connect |
by Beth Fitton |
Big Changes; Big Needs
Ahhh! I am feeling mellow and refreshed. Mary and I have just returned from our annual pilgrimage to St. John, U.S.V.I. We love the climate, the water, the colors, the flora and fauna. My "Powerball Fantasy" always includes a house on the island. But, in truth, I don't know how long I could stay there. As great as it is, it isn't home! It is rare that I see "family" on the island and, if someone does make a blip on the "gaydar," I feel as if I should start a conversation just to connect. (I'd hate to get a stalker reputation at this late stage of my life.) Back home in Rehoboth Beach, we have a while to wait for the flora and fauna that I enjoy so much. I know the first day of spring is not until March 20 but there are sure signs of its arrival. To begin with, I am seeing lots of robins, the bulbs are up and the weeds are already turning green in my yard. In town, restaurants closed for a winter break have begun to reopen, some with new owners and some in new places. Around town you can see fresh paint, new awnings and more. Here at CAMP Rehoboth the changes are really significant! Since the last issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, Bancroft Construction has removed all of the concrete from the CAMP Courtyard, the front sidewalk and the driveway on the east (Blue Moon) side of the Commun-ity Center. The east wall of the new addition is underway and should be finished in the next few days. The ground level concrete block is in place and I am truly excited to see the serpentine line of block that forms the base of the Founders' Circle glass wall. You can begin to visualize just what all those inscribed rainbow glass panels will look like. The construction schedule calls for the concrete foundation to be poured by the time this issue of Letters is on the stand and for the steel framework to be underway the following week. Whether you are among our friends and neighbors returning from a vacation in a warmer climate or you just haven't dropped by CAMP Rehoboth lately, please stop by to see the status of the new addition. The optimists among you will see the progress and the potential. The pessimists will need to prepare themselves for the torn up street and the construction barricades. In the end, I know everyone will love the finished product. For those of you who heard my plea last month regarding our new financial goals and made a donation or pledge, thank you so very much. We can now report that all of the landscaping beds in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard have been sponsored. We still need help in purchasing eight more tables, 37 chairs and the five big two-table umbrellas. And that's just some of the outside items on the Wish List. (Please see page 9 for the complete list of items that continue to need sponsors.) This month I am intensifying my plea and repeating myself. CAMP Rehoboth needs your help! In order to complete the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center as we planned, we need to raise an additional $300,000 on top of the $1.2 million construction loan. Please consider making a significant donation so that we can meet this challenge. You can make your tax refund or rebate part of your gift; you can make a monthly pledge payment or you can donate stocks or bonds. Think creatively! Together we can do it. Beth Fitton is Development Director of CAMP Rehoboth. She may be reached at beth@camprehoboth.com or by calling 302-227-5620. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 02 March 07, 2008 |