LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
| by Steve Elkins, Editor |
| This is the holiday issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, and the last one of the 2008 season. Remember, just because we do not publish Letters in December and January doesn't mean that the CAMP Community Center is not open and busy. This winter's goal is to get the new wing of the Center open and running smoothly by early 2009. To accomplish that, we are creating new committees and beefing up the old ones with added personnel. We're also looking to expand our use of trained volunteers both in the office and for staff level volunteer positions. This is a thrilling time for us, and we're exited about finally reaching the point of being able to plan a grand opening and welcome everyone into our new space.
This is the third year that CAMP Rehoboth has sponsored a Student Art Contest in conjunction with our annual World AIDS Day activities, and we are thrilled this year to have over 30 entries. Contest winners can be seen on page 14, along with other information about the many ways we are observing World AIDS Day on December 1. The biggest change this year, of course, is that December 1 is also the Rehoboth Beach Christmas Parade and so plans have been made for the Candlelight Walk to occur as a part of that parade. Also, the service and supper following the Walk will be held at All Saints' Episcopal Church on Olive Avenue. Epworth Methodist Church, the original host of the service and supper, continues to provide major support for the day's events and are coordinating Ribbons of Hope banners that will be carried in the parade and used in the service. The ribbons are available at CAMP Rehoboth, All Saints' Church, and Epworth for those who would like to include a name or a message as a part of the project. To have names added to the list of those to be read at the service, contact CAMP Rehoboth or Sussex County AIDS Council. With World AIDS Day so close on the calendar, I would be remiss if I failed to thank our CAMPsafe Director Sal Seeley for another successful year. The pulp fiction themed, 2008 AIDS education cards have been a big hit, and we recently signed a new contract with the State of Delaware for continued funding for the CAMPsafe program. At a time when budget cuts have come to many organizations for their AIDS services, CAMPsafe funding for 2009 has been increased. Over this last year, Sal and his many volunteers have produced and distributed over 17,000 safe sex condom packages, and he continues to provide on-site HIV testing and counseling. With the near completion of Phase Two of the Community Center, and a restructuring of the staff and volunteers needed to meet our needs, the staff position of CAMP Rehoboth Development Director is being phased out. Beth Fitton has held that position for the last several years and I want to take this opportunity to thank her for all the hard work she has given to this organization. Beth first served us as a volunteer and member of the Project Advisory Board, then on the Board of Directors, followed by her current place as a member of the staff, and she assures me that her support and efforts will continue, though not in an official capacity. Thank you, Beth, for the many years of service you've given to the creation and development of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. As 2008 comes to a close, though the times are tough, and the state of the economy continues to cause us all anxiety, we have much to celebrate during this holiday seasoneven if we are on a budget. In his CAMPmatters column on page 6, Murray writes about hope and the powerful force it has been, and continues to be, for CAMP Rehoboth. We certainly have high hopes for 2009, for the new direction of the country, and for our organization. |
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LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 15 November 21, 2008 |