Camp Blue Skies 2019 Winter newsletter

Our Mission: To offer camps to adults with developmental disabilities, enhancing their lives through recreation, socialization and life skills education.

CampBlueSkies.org

WINTER 2019

Teamwork makes the dream work At both sessions of Camp Blue Skies in North Carolina, the campers and volunteers found life really is easier with help from your friends‌ whether singing, scaling the ropes, or petting a chicken.

From the Founder

Volunteers

Donors

Dick Sesler outlines steps we’ve taken to make sure Camp Blue Skies lasts for generations.

Spotlights on special folks and the list of volunteers for our North Carolina 2018 camps.

Recognition of the foundations, donors and supporters who make camp possible.

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visited Camp Blue Skies in March and October. Inspired by the impact on our campers, parents/caregivers, and volunteers, Gambrell Foundation will donate $1 million to our endowment. Our heartfelt thanks to Sally, Brian and Gambrell Foundation for their support and to Phil for his leadership.

Step 3: Reorganize leadership

Three steps to making sure Camp Blue Skies lasts for generations A note from Dick Sesler, founder As we enter our 10th year, Camp Blue Skies is going strong. My goal heading into 2018 was to ensure that our camps will be around long after I am gone.

Step 1: Transition from a founding board to a community board Our founding board members were CEOs as well as executive directors of nonprofits that served individuals with developmental disabilities. Their impact and dedication helped us get to where we are today.

Last summer, I met with John and Kathy Schreiber, longtime friends and Camp Blue Skies supporters since the beginning. John was my mentor when I first started my career. We are thrilled to report that John and Kathy Schreiber will donate $1 million to our endowment. Their incredible generosity humbles us.

Phil Norwood, Vice President of our Board of Directors, took the lead on our application with the Gambrell Foundation. Sally Gambrell Bridgford and Brian Bridgford

As our organization matured, we knew we would need to have a director who would work with team members to keep our sessions running smoothly and full of innovative and fresh programming. I still love participating at camp and in all the planning that goes into each session, but wanted to focus my attention on making sure we had a dynamic board and financial stability to keep camp sustainable and affordable.

We didn’t have to look far. Jim Guimond, a long-time volunteer and program instructor, became our Camp Director in 2018.

His leadership and energy have set the bar even higher.

I’d say, “mission accomplished” on all three steps. Thanks to the generous funding, strategic changes and continued support from donors and volunteers, Camp Blue Skies will serve generations of adults with developmental disabilities.

As our camps grew, so did the list of people interested in helping us continue to thrive. Our board now includes community leaders, longtime volunteers and parents of campers working alongside the CEOs. Learn more about them by visiting CampBlueSkies.org/board.

Step 2: Financial sustainability The Camp Blue Skies Foundation’s endowment was established in 2010 by former business colleagues of mine in memory of Alan Jaffe, our old friend and the first person to sign up as a volunteer.

Growing the endowment enables us to expand and pursue more opportunities to serve adults with developmental disabilities, their parents and caregivers and the volunteers who return year after year. We’ve made tremendous progress on this goal thanks to relationships that go back over 40 years.

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SAVE THE DATES To celebrate our 10th anniversary, Events Director Mary Tinkey (see pg. 7) and the Fun Committee of Liza Sippe, Elizabeth Bivens, Katie Stuart, Julie White, Aisha Thomas, Lisa TenEyck, and Amy Okel ask that you put these events and dates on your calendar: Blues Skies Bash A friend- and fund-raiser Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 The Barrel Room at Triple-C, Charlotte

Camp Blue Skies Jubilee Celebrating 10 years thanking volunteers and supporters Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 The Palmer Building, Charlotte

Want to be involved? Email Mary@CampBlueSkies.org

CMPD officers visit camp Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officers Rita Boric and Terrance Funderburk, members of CMPD’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program, visited Session 1 in North Carolina. The officers’ visit kicked off our partnership with CMPD to help these two communities learn to better understand each other. One goal is to help educate the special needs community about how to have safe encounters with police officers when they meet in public places. Meeting campers helps officers better understand how to engage with the special needs community.

Warren Wilson students volunteer Warren Wilson College became our newest education partner during North Carolina Session 2.

Warren Wilson College is a private four-year liberal arts college near Asheville. Warren Wilson already committed to returning in 2019.

Front (from left): Musa Ndlovu, Will Pioquinto, Pratima Menyangbo.

Back (from left): Ryan Segall, Jennah Dunham (Community Engagement Operations Manager), Ava Simonds, Vinnie Grossi, Sam Whicker, BK Segall (Library Circulation Manager).

Watch your inbox, our website and social media for details on the Hoops for Camp NCAA Bracket Challenge.

Selection Sunday is March 17.

The Blue Skies Boosters’ annual fundraiser returns April 27. Stay tuned for more information about this fun, family-friendly event.

NC SESSION #1: THE RAIN PLAN

What happens when it’s time to take the final camp photo and there’s a steady downpour? You get creative! The result is not one but two final photos. Thanks to the volunteers and YMCA Camp Harrison staff for making this happen quickly and efficiently on our final morning together.

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SPOTLIGHT: COUNSELORS FROM INREACH 

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Domtar financially supported our North Carolina sessions again in 2018 as our Camp Partner. CEO John D. Williams joined other Domtar volunteers for a day during this year’s camp season. They all participated in activities including fishing, zip lining, team building and bingo.

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“I had a wonderful time visiting Camp Blue Skies,” says Williams, who is also a member of Camp Blue Skies Foundation Board of Directors. “Each day the campers were challenged to do an activity they had never done before. During my visit, I was able to watch them not only accomplish their challenge, but also have fun along the way. It made for a very bright day.”

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Pictured above: 1. Michael “Bonez” Robinson, 2. David Durham, 3. Brent Gribble, 4. Christie Sproles, 5. Mekia Johnson, 6. Garrick McNeill, 7. Gail Dawkins, 8. Nikki Howie, 9. Jennifer Lewis

How do we find such amazingly qualified cabin counselors? Often, the HEP (Has Experience with Population) counselors come from different sources: recommendations from family members and other local agencies.

InReach, based in Charlotte, has been instrumental to our success by connecting us to many campers. InReach employees also play the vital role of HEP Counselor. InReach staffer, Christie Sproles, served as a HEP for a few years

and then joined our team and serves as Camp Blue Skies’ InReach Liaison and Site Logistics Coordinator.

Several InReach staff members attend sessions in both Georgia and North Carolina. Thank you to these awesome individuals who continue to be such an essential part of camp.  Learn more about InReach, a nonprofit that provides a wide variety of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at InReachnc.org.

Volunteer recruiting at A Small Miracle In August, Camp Director James Guimond and Volunteer Director Alison Barry visited A Small Miracle in Charlotte to talk about camp and volunteer needs. A Small Miracle

is an agency that provides support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

They ran into some familiar faces: Volunteers JD Davis (2nd from left) and Bryan Chambers (right)!

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Domtar CEO joins volunteers at Camp

Each day the campers were challenged to do an activity they had never done before.

“I can’t say enough about Camp Blue Skies,” Williams continues. “It is a wonderful camp that works tirelessly to help serve a population that is largely underserved, Right: Domtar CEO John Williams with camper Kara Diachenko Below: Some of the Domtar employees who volunteered (from left): Jamese Miranda, Trish Taylor, Malary McGee (daughter of Goldie) Goldie McGee, Jen Griswold, Jon Griswold and Scott Fletcher (in back)

Circle of L

ve - Our Volunteers

Our Circle of Love comprises the dedicated persons who have recently given their time, love and support, all priceless gifts.

NC Both Sessions Karen Breth Casey Carver Michael Coulter Tom Cox John Lenhart Jo Fox Lacey Martin Garrick McNeill Debby Rea Jody Rose Doug Sheffield Wayne St. Aubin Dan Sturzenbecker Gene Vaughan Mark Vaughan NC Session 1 Chaneria Bailey Elise Barksdale Jon Beall Claire Bingham Noah Bradley Scott Bradley April Bradley Kevin Brawley Jackie Brogie Rob Burgio Cassie Cangelosi Bryan Chambers Rocky Cooley Gail Dawkins David Durham Claudia Egas

Fe Egas Adam Fishman Scott Fletcher Chris Greene Jen Griswold Jon Griswold Kelly Hadder Roger Hayes Leyannie Hernandez Nicole Hsu Steve Huntley B Johnson Karen Johnson Melinda King Laura Langwell Nam Le Scott Leach Alison Lee States Lee Jennifer Lewis Robby Magee Joe Maldonado Goldie McGee Malary McGee Garrett Mercer Marty Milne Jamese Miranda Shavonna Mitchell Tom O'Boyle Ryan Owens Cindy Pagano Jamie Parker Kinsey Richardson Kate Rogers

Jamie Sebaaly Kate Shupe Katy St. Clair Susan Stafford Jill Stafford Katie Stuart Trish Taylor Sarah Thompson Janet Tucker Roger Tucker Kenny Turner Jeremy Urekew Jacqueline Wabler Christy Wade Caroline Wood Daniel Wood Morgan Young NC Session 2 Rick Abrams Lee Arphai Robin Barschow Lorin Bell Russ Case Greg Clarke Pat Connelly Chad Crockford Jennah Dunham Dawn Feiler Amy Firth Brian Fisette Cathy Frye Andy Gamble Steve Gassaway

Michelle Gassaway Brent Gribble Vinnie Grossi Carrie Guerrette Becky Harris Kaleigh Hathaway Kelsey Hathaway Eva Hook Beth Hook Allie Hovis Nicole Howie Mekia Johnson Andy Kane Iris Kim Kevin King Jennifer Lamb Martha Lefevre Scott Lefevre Deb Lollar Bre Lucking Bryan Maxwell Mike McGinnis

Pratima Menyangbo Naomi Murray Musa Ndlovu Sue Padgett Harry Padgett II Damian Peterson Anna Pfeiffer Will Pioquinto Bonez Robinson Shari Rognstad Amanda Savage BK Segall Ryan Segall Ava Simonds Joe Steven Lindsay Sullivan Peter Thao Galina Wang Julie Weiss Sam Whicker Weimin Yuan

Kristen Hill joins our team as Georgia Volunteer Coordinator Kristen Hill’s love for volunteers and the people they serve began early in her life, but blossomed when she attended the University of Georgia to earn her Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management. After learning more about people with disabilities, she decided that nothing could be more fulfilling than making a career out of serving those who want to serve others.

Her almost 5-year-old yellow lab, Chrysta, a career-changed guide dog, is always close by, and makes life so much fun! Serving as a puppy raiser for Chrysta is how Kristen got plugged into the disability community, and she’s never looked back. Her experience includes working with service dogs, the

volunteers that help raise them, and individuals with a variety of disabilities and their families.

For Camp Blue Skies, she will be recruiting local day volunteers, cabin counselors and HEPs (people who have experience with our camper population). She also is helping with camp logistics. Her favorite part about working with volunteers is being a part of the family that’s created. She’s excited to join our family and have a really great time at our camps meeting all of you!

Contact her at Kristen@CampBlueSkies.org or 404-654-3625. Kristen’s position is part of our partnership with Camp Twin Lakes.

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Campers, family/caregivers attend Charlotte Ballet's Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Charlotte Ballet, through a sponsorship from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, generously donated 75 tickets to a sensory-friendly performance of the holiday classic Nutcracker on Dec. 13 to the Camp Blue Skies community in Charlotte.

The sensory friendly production at Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Belk Theater featured

an abbreviated performance length and extended intermission. House lights remained at half brightness, and the sound was controlled through recorded music.

Dancers, staff, ushers and volunteers also received training to ensure an excellent experience for those with sensory challenges.

Camp Director Jim Guimond coordinated the opportunity with Charlotte Ballet.

Among those who enjoyed the production were adults with developmental disabilities from Camp Blue Skies partners such as The Exceptional Foundation of Charlotte, A Small Miracle, and InReach.

Charlotte Ballet will offer a sensory friendly performance of Peter Pan at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13. Watch our social

“We hope this is the beginning of a partnership with Charlotte Ballet. Providing experiences and activities outside of Camp Blue Skies is a goal for us. This was the perfect example of what we hope to do more of in the future.”

-Jim Guimond, Camp Director

media channels for updates.  Got an idea for an activity or event we should check out?

Email Jim@CampBlueSkies.org.

Special shout-out: She makes us look good Darcie Saleh is one of Camp Blue Skies’ longtime secret weapons. Hundreds of people often see her work but not everyone has met her. Darcie designs all of our printed materials from banners and brochures to the Camp Store list and this newsletter.

“In the early days, I would meet with Darcie and talk through my vision and the energy I wanted our logo and materials to communicate,” said Dick Sesler.

“She’s still with us 10 years in, and we hope she stays another decade or more.”

Thank you, Darcie!

Connections and good folks make borrowing a boat easy As we got ready for the Hooked on Camp fishing derby and our camp sessions at Camp Harrison, Camp Director Jim 6

Camp Blue Skies team attends WSA conference Camp Director Jim Guimond and Christie Sproles, Site Logistics Coordinator, attended the Williams Syndrome Association conference July 11-15 in Baltimore, which had more than 1,000 attendees. As one of 35 exhibitors, many families stopped by to tell us: “We heard about you from other campers who loved it.” Jim gave a Balance Your Body presentation and taught three classes. Christie worked our booth and gave information to potential campers. She also handed out Camp Blue Skies egg shakers, a huge hit among attendees. We auctioned a piece of art created by Brent Sesler and Brandon Burrows and donated the $100 from the art auction to WSA. Guimond realized we needed to borrow a pontoon to make sure anglers and campers had a great time.

a great guy with an awesome truck, agreed to tow the boat from Lake Wylie to Camp Harrison, around 100 miles one way.

Andy Kane, who is on our Board of Directors and an amazing long-time volunteer and program instructor, said he thought his friends at Camp Thunderbird, another Charlotte YMCA camp, could help.

Campers Brent Sesler and Brandon Burrows volunteered to be the “security” detail and accompanied Jim and Matt on the drive. The crew took US 321 to avoid major traffic and made it in time for the derby.

Andy connected us with Bill Hollifield at Camp Thunderbird. Bill helped get the pontoon ready and secured it on a trailer.

Jim’s brother-in-law Matt Boehkle, who is

Bonus: Matt also donated two kayaks to Camp Harrison.

Fundraiser offers plenty of fish, fun, and cookies

Welcome back, Mary!

A familiar face re-joined the Camp Blue Skies team over the summer.

Mary Tinkey, who was Camp Blue Skies' first Volunteer Director, is our new Events Director.

“We were looking for someone to organize and plan events and someone suggested we talk to Mary for suggestions on folks to talk to,” said Dick Sesler. “And lucky for us, she was available and jumped right in to help with the Hooked on Camp fishing derby.”

Mary will lead the committee and oversee the planning for the Blue Skies Bash, a friend- and fund-raising event, on Nov. 1 at The Barrel Room at Triple C in Charlotte and the Camp Blue Skies Jubilee celebration at The Palmer Building in Charlotte in February 2020.

She also will be responsible for planning Hoops for Camp, Cornhole for Camp, Hooked on Camp and other special events, and will work with the Blue Skies Boosters.  If you’d like to get involved with any of these events, contact Mary at Mary@CampBlueSkies.org.

Anglers at our Hooked on Camp Fishing Derby enjoyed a great day on Lake Broyhill and got some special treats during Camp Blue Skies’ annual fundraiser Sept. 27-28 at YMCA Camp Harrison in Boomer, NC. FISHING HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY: Total fish caught: 217 Most fish caught by a single team: Keith Wall and Jeremy Diggs, 53 Largest Large Mouth Bass: Jake Runkle, 4lbs., 4oz.

Largest Blue Gill: Jimmy Warren, 1 lb, 2 oz.

Smallest Fish: Jake Runkle, 0.75 oz.

The annual event raised $20,000 to provide financial assistance to bridge the gap between tuition rate and the true cost per camper.

The 2018 derby helped cover those costs for 25 adults with developmental disabilities.

Camper Carolyn Sampson welcomed fishermen with a smile as bright as the sun when they returned to the dock for the weigh-in. She shared her love of Camp Blue Skies at the awards luncheon. Carolyn and her mother Elise provided dessert: A yummy selection of gluten-free cookies from Reason To Bake, the Sampsons’ small-batch bakery in Pisgah Forest, NC.

Special thanks to Brooks Runkle, Derby Chairman, and Gene Vaughan, Derby Captain. Thank you to the following sponsors, donors, and guides for their support: SPONSORS REDLINE Design Group Barringer Construction Bonitz Flooring Group, Inc. Dynamic Health & Pain Management ESP Associates, Inc. FS2 Flooring Garmon & Company Commercial Flooring Harker John Lenhart Mannington Commercial SEC General Contractors, Inc. Warco Construction IN-KIND DONORS Tipton Bar-B-Que YMCA Camp Harrison GUIDES Kim Baker Tom Hucks Kevin Ingle Todd Low Todd Lynn Jamie Morgan

John Morse Johnathan Shew Wayne Spencer James Summers Mark Vaughan

Tipton’s Bar-B-Que in Wilkesboro donated the barbecue lunch. The 2018 winners’ trophies were handcrafted by Darin White of HAVA Studios.

Anglers received a goodie bag with a lure, Camp Blue Skies swag, and fishing-themed socks from John’s Crazy Socks. John Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome who loves colorful socks, founded the company in 2016 with his father, Mark.

The 2019 Hooked on Camp Fishing Derby will be Sept. 26-27.

Want to reserve your boat now?

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Thank You to Our Recent Donors Thank you to all organizations, foundations and individuals who provide financial and in-kind support for Camp Blue Skies.

This list recognizes donations from June 16 to Dec. 31, 2018.

Blue Skies ($5,000+) Elizabeth Alexander John Alexander Domtar Industries Bruce and Deborah Duncan Gambrell Foundation Art Lund Matesich Distributing Co. John and Kathy Schreiber Peter Smith TEGNA Foundation The Leon Levine Foundation Zipliners ($1,000-$4,999) Anonymous Rick Abrams Robert and Susan Aulebach Barringer Construction Bradford and Alison Barry John and Anne Barry Jonathan and Drew Beall Benevity Kelley A. Bergstrom Bonitz Flooring Bobby C. Carver Chip and Darlene Conrad Larry Cooper Tom and Millie Cox Charles Dannis Matthew and Lolly Dominski Dynamic Health & Pain Management James and Elizabeth Eaton ESP Associates, Inc.

Forrest Lennard LLC FS 2 Flooring Garmon & Company Commerical Flooring Steve and Michelle Gassaway Tom and Alice Gavigan Harker Richard Hyman Nora Jaffe Jeff and Karen Johnson Bill and Patti Kramer Catherine Pierson Lego Mannington Vince McBrien David and Shannon McGahren Dorothy Moss Pat Murphy Network for Good Phil and Marianne Norwood Thomas and Chris O'Boyle Redline Design Group Robert B. Taylor Foundation Ivon and Blair Rohrer Beverly and Ira J. Schulman Nelson Schwab III SEC General Contractors, Inc. Walter and Libba Sprunt Tom and Gina Lawrence Ubuntu KDCE Foundation Warco Construction, Inc. Jane Webb Tom Webb and Kathryn Heath Wentcher Foundation John and Mary Whitt Robert and Anne Zerbst Dude Ranchers ($500-$999) Claire Bingham Scott and April Bradley Stan and Sally Carder Mike Coulter Paul C. Denckla Claudia Dickman Geoffrey Dohrmann Eric and Martha Eubank Doug Faris Stephen Furnary Pat and Anne Gallagher Ed and Annette Imbrogno Will and Jenny Joyner Andy and Florence Kane Alice Kelley Joe and Jerri Kropp John and Jennifer Lamb

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Healthy Charlotte Alliance supplies healthy snacks Special thanks to Healthy Charlotte Alliance for providing a Healthy Trail Mix Snack Bar during Camp Blue SkiesNorth Carolina Session 2! Member Leslie Aronovitz and her husband, Ted Gearhart, helped set up the Snack Bar and talked with campers about healthy eating. Charlotte Healthy Alliance also supports Camp Blue Skies with a grant for our nurses.

Bob and Jan McGrath Steven Melton Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Huntley Oxford Industries Brooks Runkle Steve and Tobie Sasser Patricia Taylor Brent and Claire Trexler Collin and Christy Wade David Walrod Michael David Withers

Jill Ammerman Peter and Karen Billington Richard Burrows David Castagna Jerry and Elizabeth Clark Smithy and Monta Curry Paul Devine Connie Kay Gelin Carrie Guerrette Peter James Ken and Stacy Malcolmson Neill and Margaret McBryde Bill and Amy Millikan Chase and Jennifer Monroe John and Ridgely Phillips Stephen C. Ross Doug Sheffield Mark and Lydia Surles Lisa Smith Ten Eyck

Helping Hands (up to $249) David Alexander Mike and Helen Ruth Almond Ernest and Pam Barry Kent and Maria-Jose Baum Alvin and Tanya Beshears Charles and Mary Bowman Karen Breth Bryan Chambers Mary Crane Larry and Paula Delzell Crystal Dempsey Dave Dougherty and Anita Blanchard Steve and Janice Ezzo Nick and Jo Anne Gaede Jim and Diane Geocaris Richard and Mary Gerakitis Andy Gitelson Wilson Glasgow Paul Haddock Becky Harris Nanette Holladay Carolyn P Hotham Scott Hundertmark JLL Community Connections Kathy H. Kerpestein Michael and Kathleen Laccinole JoAnn V. Larsen Mark and Kelsey Lin (Continued on page 9)

Garry and Sarah McAvoy Bill and Sally McNitt Katherine Fickling Miller Joel and Bonnie Millikan James and Ann Mossberg Kelly O'Donoghue Paul and Grace Cernak Seth and Susan Reicher Wolfgang and Bette Roth Joe and Janice Shrader Julian and Karen Spratt Charles and Leighann Swanson Jonathan Swope John and Mary Tinkey Terry and Alison Utterback Chip and Liz Walker Thomas B. Watson Stuart and Debbie Woodhouse Weimin and Mari Yuan Tributes Donations were made in memory of the following: Dean Adcock Dennis and Cherry Nyholm Larry and Helga Perez Nancy Coulter Janet Donahue The following donated to a Facebook fundraiser honoring Nancy’s life: Alison Barry Alina Behring-Vaughn Dennis Bell Gilda Bergeson Terri Brady Melody Broome Karin Corum Mary DeFazio Crystal Dempsey Shawni Eaker Kelly Eldridge Carol Erwin

Nicole Evans Carrie Dougherty Adam Fishman Ben Furman Daniel Geronimos Stacey Go Matt Goforth Honey Hill Keala Leemon Are Johnsen Jerri Kropp Cally McDonald Jonathan Middlebrook Perla Middleton Catie Novogradac Angie Noye Cindy Nunn Cindy Pagano D.K. Peterson Maria Prado Liz Rumbaugh Leigh Reynolds Tiffany Schoenleber Jordyn Stearns Jan Stephenson Suzanne and Bryan Summerville Cindy Tanner Allison Bishop Hayes Dennis and Marie Goforth Bruno Molinari Sharon A. Bolton Bruce Bozzi Wally Ganzi The Palm Restaurant Donations were made in honor of the following: Bradford and Alison Barry Mary Walker Edie Waterer Anita Blanchard The following donated to Anita’s birthday fundraiser on Facebook:

Jonas Bilenas Anita Blanchard Ted Carmichael Michael Dougherty Dave Dougherty Randy Jones Brendan Kehoe Jeff Lackey Michelle MB Jill Quilici Eleanor Reali Ana Scoggins Dan Stokols Lisa Tucker Lisa Walker Lori Wallendael Brett White Noah Bradley Scott and April Bradley Brandon Burrows Isabella Molinari Elizabeth Cernak Paul and Grace Cernak Crystal Dempsey The following donated to Crystal’s birthday fundraiser on Facebook: Terri Banner April Bethea Charlotte Brooks Anna Carpenter Molly Carroll Angie Cowger Sara Crickenberger Butch Dempsey Trish Fries Darcie Glauner Saleh Roni Gunderson Molly Gunn Sydney Hooper Dorothy Hunt David Jessup Jr. Shay Merritt Bob Nulf Tom O'Brien Stephanie Phillips Brenda Pinnell Lauren Platts

Gwen Poth Fabi Preslar Stacey Rose Kathy Rowan Jill Santuccio Holly Scheppegrell Laurie Smithwick Christie Sproles Anissa Starnes Krista Terrell Lisa Walker Jameka Whitten Jeffrey Willhelm Joe Fountain Joseph and Rosanna Fountain Sara McKee Jim Guimond John Clay and Catherine Bessant Julie Griggs John Lenhart Annie Dixon Anthony Lenhart Eric Wolski John M. Logsdon Woody and Adria Appleby Jennifer Norman Elizabeth Alexander Brooks Runkle Mark Ayers Hunter Tice John and Mary Whitt

TEGNA Foundation renews support for our work Thank you to TEGNA Foundation for their continued support of Camp Blue Skies! TEGNA owns WCNC-TV/NBC Charlotte.

Emmy-Award winning anchor Sarah French and consumer reporter Bill McGinty presented the check to development director Amy Millikan over the holidays. We are grateful to John Wendell, formerly a meteorologist at WCNC who encouraged us to apply for the grant. John works for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services. He has been a long-time supporter and active with our annual Hooked on Camp fishing derby.

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2820 Selwyn Ave., Box 767 Charlotte, NC 28209 CampBlueSkies.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Find details on CampBlueSkies.org

Looking for the NC Session #1 camp photo?

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CONTACT INFO 704-266-2267 | CampBlueSkies.org Contact@CampBlueSkies.org Facebook.com/CampBlueSkiesUSA

Camp Blue Skies-Georgia

Twitter.com/CampBlueSkies Instagram.com/CampBlueSkies

Camp Blue Skies-NC Session 2 Camp Blue Skies-Williams Syndrome Volunteers: March 10; Campers: March 11-15 Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA Hoops for Camp NCAA Basketball Challenge fundraiser Selection Sunday: March 17 Camp Blue Skies-Georgia Volunteers: March 17; Campers: March 18-22 Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA

Cornhole for Camp April 27, location TBA Hooked on Camp Fishing Derby fundraiser Sept. 26-27, YMCA Camp Harrison, Boomer, NC Camp Blue Skies-NC #1 Volunteers: Oct. 4 Campers: Oct. 5-9 YMCA Camp Harrison, Boomer, NC

Camp Blue Skies-NC #2 Volunteers: Oct. 11 Campers: Oct. 12-16 YMCA Camp Harrison, Boomer, NC Blue Skies Bash 10th anniversary celebration and fundraiser Nov. 1, The Barrel Room at Triple C, Charlotte