The Way I See It
by Steve Elkins
Not only is this the holiday issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, it’s also the last one in our 2009 season. As always seems to happen, I’m a little surprised to discover that the time has come and gone so quickly. Amazingly, this is also the end of our 19th season of CAMP Rehoboth and we’re all looking forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary as the New Year dawns and throughout the months of 2010.
This has certainly been a year to remember for us, starting with the opening of our new facilities at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. Almost as exciting, we recently launched our new Web site. Though we’re still implementing a few elements of the site and there’s work to be done on some of the past issues of Letters, we are delighted to have it up and running. It’s a tool that will allow us to serve our organization and our community in a much better way. Thanks to the web designers at Inclind in Georgetown for the work they’ve done, and to Deb Qualey and Karen Gustafson for underwriting the initial cost of the project. Check out the new camprehoboth.com.
Christmas came early for several state social service providers when we received news from the Board of the Sussex County AIDS Council that we were being given funds from the remaining assets of the now closed organization. CAMP Rehoboth, Kent Sussex Counseling Services, AIDS Delaware, and the Lewes Rehoboth Association of Churches (LRAC), were all recipients of the funds. Though we have all been deeply saddened by the loss of SCAC to our community, we are very grateful to SCAC for their generosity.
December 1 is World AIDS Day, and here in Rehoboth Beach we will be honoring that day with our annual Candlelight Walk and Service of Remembrance and Hope. This year the international World AIDS Campaign is calling for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care with a focus on human rights. Locally, the day’s schedule begins with a reception for the HIV+ Artists exhibit at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center at 4:30 p.m. From 6:15-6:30 there is a pre-walk gathering and candle lighting at the Rehoboth Bandstand, and the walk begins at 6:30. The Service of Remembrance and Hope will follow the walk at All Saints’ Church. A supper provided by the church and Taste of Italy will follow. To have a name added to the list of those being read at the service, call CAMP Rehoboth.
The last big CAMP Rehoboth event of the year is the Starburst Gayla— a women’s dance and dinner at the Rehoboth Convention Center on New Year’s Eve. Dinner and dance tickets (6:30-1p.m.) are $95 and require advance reservations. Tickets to the dance (9 p.m.-1 a.m.) are $50. With DJ Peggy Castle, dinner music (and a midnight performance) by Viki Dee, food by Nourish, and an open bar all night long it promises to be a glittering night for all. Men, by the way, are always welcome.
As the year comes to a close, a word of thanks to all of you who by your generous gifts, your dedicated service, and your unending support have helped CAMP Rehoboth to survive—more than survive—the tough economy of the past year. CAMP Rehoboth depends on countless volunteers, donors, sponsors, committee members and leaders to get us through each season, and we are grateful for it all. As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the holidays to follow, I am especially thankful for the staff (both volunteer and paid) and to all the members of the CAMP Rehoboth Board and Leadership Council for the dedicated work they give to this organization.
One more personal note: Kathy Weir, our office administrator, has been on vacation for the last month. We survived that, too—thanks to all the people it took to fill her shoes while she was gone. Welcome back, Kathy!