p Blue A Newsletter of Cam
Skies Foundation
Showing the positive impact your gifts make in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.
SUMMER 2014
Camp: A favorite holiday year after year!
male counselors.” She adds, “It's probably refreshing to have someone new and different encouraging and instructing you!” To first-timers, Amy says, “Don’t worry. You can rest assured that your family member is being lovingly cared for by a group of professionals who will give the camper a week to remember.” For Russell, it's a highlight of his year and “he looks as forward to it as he did to Halloween and Christmas as a child.” That says a lot, since he was 49 when he first attended our camp more than two years ago!
Fun at camp! All our campers were first timers once. What is it like that first time, and what keeps them coming back? Amy Nason, sister of camper Russell Roby, helped answer those questions. Doing anything for the first time can bring about some anxiety, but Amy and Russie, as
! Great companionship she affectionately calls her brother, were both “very excited by the prospect of his having a fun week away.” Amy had some trepidation, but Russell fit right in. Amy says he especially likes the male companionship and mentorship. He enjoys time “cutting up and having fun with the fabulous
According to Amy, Russell’s “Top 3” favorite parts of camp are, “the counselors, the food, and just ‘being away’ in an emotionally, physically safe place to be - a real vacation!” We are glad Russell really looks forward to Camp Blue Skies and that his family feels secure in knowing he will be well cared for. We hope he continues to come to meet new friends and to enjoy cutting up with his cabin mates and counselors!
My Camp Blue Skies SEED20 Experience Message from Dick Sesler, Founder Thanks to a creative grant application written by Amy Millikan and Crystal Dempsey, Social Venture Partners Charlotte selected Camp Blue Skies to participate in its SEED20 social entrepreneur competition. The annual contest features 20 nonprofits vying for $45,000 in cash prizes. From the 20 selected, only half get a shot to go before six judges, who award prizes ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. The audience even gets a chance to weigh in with a People’s Choice award for $2,500. The centerpiece of the competition: tell your story in a three-minute speech to an
audience of more than 450 people—not an easy feat! The hard work paid off, though, and Camp Blue Skies made the Top 10. The big night came on March 11, and the air inside the auditorium at Bank of America’s Urban Garden crackled with the electricity of nervous energy and anticipation. I managed to give a good presentation and was thrilled to hear the audience’s response. Bottom line – we won both the People’s Choice award and third place from the judges, totaling $10,000. Community exposure...priceless!
CampBlueSkies.org
Camp Blue Skies was honored to participate in SEED20, a competition designed to discover, spotlight, support, and fund great ideas for building social value.
Engage, Encourage, Enjoy!
Jessie Lehmann is always drumming up something new! Campers and volunteers love learning new skills and acting a little silly during our drumming lessons at camp. That’s what makes Jessie Lehmann the perfect drumming instructor, with her infectious energy and ability to inspire. Jessie's passion for percussion led to years of performing, teaching, and educational trips to Africa. She has opened Petite Wazo, a West African drum school dedicated to culturally connecting communities through drum classes. As if that wasn't enough, Jessie has started Asheville Bike Taxi (AshevilleBikeTaxi.com), a bike taxi service in Asheville, NC. ABT offers tours and rides to visitors and locals looking for an eco-friendly, affordable and fun way to explore the city. Jessie has been a part of our NC camp family since 2012. We were thrilled to welcome her to our Georgia 2014 session and can't wait to see what she will drum up next!
Volunteers: Special and vital in making camp successful
Gone fishing!
Meet John Lenhart, a retired salesman turned Camp Blue Skies volunteer extraordinaire who continues to go beyond the call of duty.
We met John in September 2012 when he volunteered at the first Hooked on Camp fishing tournament. He literally got “hooked”! Since then, John has volunteered at four Camp Blue Skies sessions in NC and GA and plans to travel to OH in September. In 2013 John joined other Camp Blue Skies fishing enthusiasts, Gene Vaughn and Andy Kane, by serving on the Hooked on Camp fundraising committee. John has blown it out of the water this year, and led this effort to huge successes. He started early last fall by researching and targeting corporate sponsors and prospective fishermen. Using his sales skills and passion for Camp Blue Skies, John hooked corporate sponsor Dynamic Health and Pain Management, filled 10 boats with 20 fishermen, and secured donations projected to raise more than $20,000. The 2014 Hooked on Camp Fishing Event is scheduled for October 23-24 on Lake Broyhill at YMCA Camp Harrison. “It is a delight to work with John,” comments Amy Millikan, Development Director. “He has a positive ‘can do’ attitude and I always walk away having learned something new from him.” Thank you, John, for your hard work and commitment to Camp Blue Skies.
We have great news to share! The Columbus Dispatch and Ohio Wesleyan University both recently featured a story about the hard work by Jon and Brenda Holcomb, Tobie Sasser and our core team to launch Camp Blue Skies - OH, Sept. 7-11, 2014, at Recreation Unlimited. Jon and Brenda are more than three quarters of the way to our goal for signing up campers and volunteers, and the fundraising efforts have been outstanding. This camp is special because it’s where Brenda and Camp Blue Skies founder Dick Sesler grew up. Jon and Dick also were fraternity brothers at Ohio Wesleyan University,
and he and Brenda were among the first volunteers five years ago at our first camp in North Carolina!
Want to help spread the word? Email Jon@CampBlueSkies.org or call (614) 450-2480
Thank You to Our Recent Donors Thank you to all organizations and individuals who provide financial and in-kind support for the work of Camp Blue Skies. This list recognizes all donations from January 8, 2014 to June 1, 2014. Blue Skies ($5,000+)
Cabin Mates ($250 - $499)
Anonymous Domtar Industries The Merancas Foundation
John Barlow Tom and Millie Cox Stephen Furnary Steve and Terri Huntley Paula Moore Cristy Nine John and Ridgely Phillips Ellen Rankin
Zipliners ($1,000 - $4,999) Belinda J Bogner CB Richard Ellis, Inc. Foundation Charlotte Woman’s Club Edifice, Inc. Ernest C. Wentcher Educational Foundation Eric and Martha Eubank John and Mary Franklin Foundation Johnson's Roofing Service Patty and Bill Kramer Larry and Sharon Malcolmson Plaskolite, Inc Walter Sprunt Allan and Bonnie Sweet ValMark Securities Global Gift Fund Bill and Barbra Wood
Dude Ranchers ($500 - $999) Adria and Woody Appleby Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc Scott D. Kepner Joe and Jerri Kropp Jan and Bob McGrath John Moritz Ed and Gail Peacock Bonwood Social Investments (Bob Perkowitz and Lisa Renstrom) Simon Rich Ivon and Blair Rohrer Dee Schwab Jane Webb Brad and Rebecca Weprin
Helping Hands (up to $249) Anonymous Donors (19) Mark Abrahm Debra Adam Charlie Adams David Alexander Wills Allen Allstate Meredith Russell Anglin R. Randolph Ashton Nick Asmo Susan and Robert Aulebach Rand Ayer Frances Ayers Mark Ayers William Bagley Terri Banner Scott Barber James Barker Jerry Barron Alison Barry Kent and Maria-Jose Baum Jonathan Beall Lawrence Bearden Jim Beasley Joe and Barbara Bell Frances Bendert Ariana Bennett Johann Betschart Erskine Betts Douglas Biggs
Peter Billington Michael Blanski Holly Blanton James Blecke, Jr. James Blecke Linda Blevins Jane Blount Christian Bohmfalk Tom Bohrer Douglas Bollermann Krista Bolo Sharon Jeanne Appleby Bolton Neil Borin Matt Boss Robert Boyle Benton Bragg Swooz Brazzell Matt Brenner Seth Brenner Karen Breth Robert Brink Christy Brock Richard F. Brown Jr. Rico Brown James H Buchanan Allen Bullard Walter Burke Grady Burkett Patrick Burnside Lisa Burrows Paul H. Burton Charles Butler Gary Caiola John Caison Alexa Calahan Scott Cameron Anna J. Carpenter Molly Carroll Kennedy Carruthers Jennifer Casey John and Gay Cass Sharon Catter Nemecek Mark Chain Paulette Chapple Julia Chitester Lisa Clanton Marguerite Clarkson Edmund Cleavenger Stephanie Cline J Michaels Clothiers Robin Cochran Bill Coffman
“Every year I learn something new from the campers, from their great attitudes to their willingness to overcome their fears to try something new, to their nonjudgmental way of lives.” - 2014 VOLUNTEER Beth Collins Patricia Combs Gary J Cook Scott Cook Wayne Cooper Chris Corry Daniel Coughlin Meredith Courts Angie Cowger Dan Crane Mary Crane Francis Crochet Gabi Culpepper Lucy Culver Angela Cutler Cheri Daly Dawn Deckard Brenda Dempsey Connie Dempsey Crystal Dempsey Richard and Suzanne Deriso Cari Dickson Carly Dickson Dennis Dietzel Andrew Dodson Bob Dowen Jason Downey Paul Drobnitch Stanley Dyl Robert Eberspacher Jennifer Egues Roland Eldridge Mark Embree Steve and Janice Ezzo Danielle Fallon Roberta Borsella Farnum Susan Fisher Brian and Laurie Fitzpatrick Laurie Fitzpatrick
Charlie Fiveash Dick Fowlkes Jayne Frazier Sam Fulp Reggie Gaither Stephanie Gardner Brett Gatens Bill Gavigan Ryan Gavigan Tom and Alice Gavigan Steven Gerardi Karen M Golembeski Thomas and Kathy Golembeski Brian Goodman Lori Gougeon Elliott Grand Mary Grant Scott Greig Brent Gribble Brian Gribble Rex Gribble Julie Griggs James Keith Guimond Alison and Hoyt Hackney Addie Hall Nate Hall Chas Hamill T. Patrick Hammeke Anna Hargrove Reg Hargrove Kelly Harper Becky and Mike Harris John Hartnett Mark Hawks Helen Heekin Matt Hendey Richard Henley Daphne Henne
A REASON TO SMILE! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Camp Blue Skies Foundation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Fishing! Fun with food!new friends! Making
Use this link when you do your shopping: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-2354082 or search "Amazon Smile" on your Amazon account and then search for "Camp Blue Skies Foundation."
Kelly Herr Gene Herrell Herrell Jamie Higdon Rebecca and Ben Hilinski Ross Hobson Patrick Hogan Ashley Holcomb Brett and Sarah Holcomb Gregory Holcomb Jon and Brenda Holcomb Matthew Holcomb Stephen Holcomb Vanessa Holcomb Bradley Holden Laura Hoover Elizabeth Horgan Scott Horowitz Ellen Houpt Mary Kate Hughes Tommy Hughes Lindsay Hyatt Matt Icard Gaynelle H Ihms Don Irons Thomas Jackson Page Jacobson Peter James Eleanor Jarosz Anne Johnson Andrew Johnston Kate Jones Robert Jones Bryan Joyner Chambless Kalka Susan and Don Kemp Brian Kennedy Justin Keziah Tabitha Kidwell Kipp Kiger William King Hulme Kinnebrew Steven Klein Jared Knapp Kathi Knier Jason Kohler Cathy Kowalski Gregg Kowalski Philip Krone Caley Kropp James Laird Jeannie Lampo
Jordan Lash Robert Lasson Martha and Scott Lefevre Michael Levin Heather Liebler Brian Lombardo Robert Long Jim Loutzenhiser Elise Lovisa-Diamond Taylor Ludlam Stacy Lynch Eric Machemer Jessica Maguire Mike Mahaffey Ros Mallory Richard Maloy Kim Marks Anna Matthews Brian Matthews Patra May Sloane Mayberry Marc McAfee Al and Lil McAulay Jerry McAuliffe Don McElveen Patrick McHale Merrit Miller Bill and Amy Millikan Bob Millikan Joel and Bonnie Millikan Catherine Mitchell Isabella Molinari John Molster Aaron Monroe Jim Montgomery Christy Moran Monique Moreno John Moses Colby and Bobby Murphy Debby Murphy Pat Murphy Shay Bacak Myers Marsha Neely Jennie Nicol Robin Nilson Mark Nine Lee Norelli Phil and Marianne Norwood Bob Nulf Thomas Obrien
Wilson Orr Deb Overcash Catherine Overend Ray Owens Caroline Parker Blake Partridge Tom Paullus Adrienne and Stuart Pendley Scott Philbeck Susan Phillips Kelly Plott Paige Polhill David Porter R. Davis Powell Hunter D. Pratt Lelia Pratt Ashley Pritt Michael Puckett Gary Randall Nathan and Mary Rantala Lynne Ratcliffe Bryan Ray Tamara Ray Kevin Reardon Scott Recknor Kristen Reed Hal Richards
Peter Richards Sarah Richards Mark Ridenhour Kent Rinker William Rockwood Jessica Rodrick Kerry Rose Kathy Rowan Lisa Rubenson Claudette Saia Darcie Saleh Vicki Sanner Jill Santuccio Jeff Sasser Steve Sasser Nelson Schwab III Matt Sheeley Doug and Tracy Sheffield Alan and Libby Simonini Jack Skolds Carol Sluder Mignonne Smith Sherese Smith William Smith Doug Smith Giovanni Smyth Scott Snider Martin Spigner Rebecca Spigner Alys L Spillman Sheri Spivock Daryn Springer Carl Sproles Christie Sproles Karla Sproles Steve Starke Anissa Starnes Cheryl Steele Cathy Sterling Vic Steuber Mark Stewart Hill Stockton Tom Strohbehn Lydia Surles Jonathan Swope C.J. and Tara Szlag John and Terry Szlag
Allison Tanner Rebecca Taunton Joe Taylor Lisa Smith Ten Eyck K Courtland Thomas Frances Thompson J J Thrall Randy Thrall DeWitt Tillett Mary and John Tinkey Alice Trahant Mary Trask Sara Varley Gigi Vaughn Tyler Ventura Eric Viars Frenttress Villani Karen Wabler Collin and Christy Wade Tommy and Connie Wade Kurt Waldthausen Lisa Walker Lissa Waller David Ward Grant Ward Kirk Ward Kristin Washam Edie Waterer Katie Weeks J. White Tenisha White Fredric Whiting Brian Wildes Jeffrey Willemain Dan Williams Davis Willingham Clint Winslow Meghan Wiseman Amy Wolf Jacob Woodfin Sandra and Jim Woolsey Thomas Wright Victor Young Weimin Yuan Marilyn Zilka Laura Zinger
Circle of Love - Our Volunteers Our Circle of Love comprises the dedicated persons who have recently given their time, love and support—all priceless gifts. Amanda Bastien Josh Bishop Clinton Cohens Carly Dickson Drew Dillard Claire Goodwin Brent Gribble Mike Harris Wes Imundo Nicholas Lee Darren Monsanto Alex Murphy Pat Murphy Brian Pritchard Keaton Roberson Christie Sproles Nicky Stogner
Kenny Turner Sandy Weaver Katy Arthur Mike Coulter Meredith Eby Sam Goldberg Morgan Herrington Sarah Holmes Joe Kropp John Lenhart Katie Merson Mike Molinari Steve Morgan Mel Morris Myia Ragland Debby Rea April Rooker
Maegan Ryles Bill Schell Dan Sturzenbecker Lauren Williams Jerri Kropp Brent Wolfe Amanda Elmore Becca Taunton Jen Ries Trina von Waldner Erin Ward Alan Ross Sean Illgen Jessie Lehmann Jacqueline Wabler Mari Yuan Weimin Yuan
Changing lives for volunteers and campers alike! Meet Our Expanding Camp Team! Molly Hilsman Smalley joins us as fundraising consultant for Camp Blue Skies GA. She has 20 years of fundraising experience in the Atlanta area, and has served clients who work with the developmentally disabled population. Most importantly, Molly is FUN and is a great asset to the Blue Skies team.
Morgan Herrington’s Story
4-Year Volunteer, Claire Goodwin
I came to Georgia Southern University as a I was a freshman in college, and had decided biology and pre-med major, pursuing a caI wanted to do something meaningful over reer that would allow me to provide physispring break. So when I heard about Camp cal healing to patients. Coming into camp, I Blue Skies, I was immediately interested. simply wanted to gain a new experience, I wanted to be a part of an organization but I quickly fell in love who focused on giving adults “Don’t underestimate this the opportunities they deserve. with the heart and soul of camp: the spirit that population—they can do That's what I found in Camp dwelled within every Blue Skies. As a counselor, everything if you give them camper and soon within every year I leaving believing the chance. We just have to that the campers have impacted myself. After camp, I craved the interaction, and provide an environment.” my life more than I did theirs. the life-changing moments They constantly display uncon-CLAIRE GOODWIN such as a camper performditional love and support, and ing an activity that their disability would the non-judgmental environment at camp is otherwise not allow them to perform. As a incredibly refreshing. It is such an addicting result, I switched my field of study. I no environment to be in, and it's all because of longer want to be the healer; I want to be a the campers. I come and have the most fun part of the entire healing process. Camp of my entire life for a week, in an environBlue Skies showed me that some of the ment that lets everyone be themselves. greatest healing comes from simple moHow could I not come back to such a ments in life rather than from a medical positive environment? process.
Our Blue Skies family tree has grown some branches! (Clockwise from top left) Congratulations to Joanna Hollaway and David Floyd on their engagement. The happy couple met at our GA camp in 2012 and are going to tie the knot on July 26th. Congrats also to Rebecca Hilinski our Assistant Director and Liz Rumbaugh our Program Director for welcoming some new "buds" to their branches. Eric Hilinski was born November 11, 2012 and has quickly become our cutest CBS volunteer at our last couple camps. Miles Rumbaugh was born March 10, 2014 and will make his camp debut this fall.
After several seasons of sharing her extraordinary talents and connections within the marketing arena, Crystal Dempsey has formally joined our team as Communications Director. Many of you recognize her from our Camp Command Center. Her creative, enthusiastic personality is a welcomed addition to our family. Hoops for Camp FUNdraiser March was filled with basketball hoopla! Camp Blue Skies held its 3rd annual “Hoops for Camp” NCAA Basketball Bracket Challenge, an online event that encourages friendly competition during the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. This year, 415 generous people made contributions, raising nearly $25,000 to support camps in NC, GA and OH. Congratulations to Darcie Saleh who has bragging rights as 2014 “Hoops for Camp” Champion!
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Save the date! HOOKED ON CAMP October 23-24, 2014
UPCOMING CAMP DATES Ohio Recreation Unlimited September 7-11, 2014 North Carolina YMCA Camp Harrison Session 1: October 4-8, 2014 Session 2: October 11-15, 2014 CONTACT INFO 704-266-2267 CampBlueSkies.org contact@CampBlueSkies.org Facebook.com/CampBlueSkiesUSA @CampBlueSkies