Spring 2022 Newsletter

“Camp For All is my favorite place in the world.”

— ANGELA, AGE 11,

CAMP CHAMPIONS

SPRING 2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Camp For All ALL ABOUT MATT Find Your Camp Event Information and more!

MORE than FUN PAT PRIOR SORRELLS, PRESIDENT AND CEO

As a young physician, Dr. Paul Gerson, one of the Camp For All Founders joined the staff at Texas Children’s Hospital. At that time, the survival rate for children with cancer was practically nil. Paul would walk through the Cancer Center and see so many sad and unhappy faces that he was inspired to start Camp Periwinkle, so that those children could have “fun!” Yes, they had fun, but the outcomes surprised everyone. The campers found hope, grew in self-confidence and realized they weren’t alone.

Seeing many more children and adults with many more challenges needed the camp experience, Gerson joined with Dr. Bob Zeller and Larry Neuhaus to build a camp for all.

Camp For All opened in 1998. Today, many former campers say that their experience at Camp For All helped them realize they weren’t defined by their challenges.

They were able to move on with life because of who they are in their hearts and souls, not their illness or different ability. By the end of this year, Camp For All will have served more than 175,000 campers with challenging illnesses or special needs. There is no doubt, the impact of Camp has been way more than “fun.”

Camp For All transforms the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs.

From The Chair

PAT PRIOR SORRELLS, PRESIDENT AND CEO

The wonderful doctors and nurses in this world are critical for our campers’ physical healing. Camp For All is critical for their emotional healing. – PAT SORRELLS By the end of this year, Camp For All will have served more than 175,000 campers with challenging illnesses or special needs.

MISSION

JOSHUA SAMUELS, M.D., CAMP FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

I have been coming to Camp For All every summer since 1999 with Camp Shining Stars, a camp for children with chronic kidney diseases. Each year, we pick a theme to flavor our experiences at Camp For All. Over the years, a highlight for the campers has been the many themed costumes I wear. At times I’ve worn 3 or even 4 different outfits in a single day! In fact, an entire section of my closet is now filled with maybe 30-40 costumes. My secret: it isn’t just for the laughs. The importance of my patients and campers seeing me dressed up in a ridiculous costume helps set a tone. By making fun of myself, I become way less scary for the whole rest of the year, including back at the hospital.

My patients spend a lot of their lives hearing about all the things that they can’t do because of their kidney disease. Here at Camp For All, they hear all of the things that they can do and it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to come out and experience life, to challenge themselves to try new things, and most importantly to gain independence and confidence that will stay with them long after they’ve returned home.

Although we have all suffered through this pandemic, children with medical complexities have been especially affected, not only because their parents and their families have had to stay even more isolated. Many have not been able to return to school or even participate in therapies and activities. We’re excited to get our campers back to Camp and we need your help now more than ever. What a great gift we can give them by letting them come back and safely experience Camp this summer! We appreciate your donation and support.

The work that we do out here at Camp For All has been a labor of love for me spanning over 20 years, and I hope it will continue to be forever!

JOSHUA SAMUELS, M.D., CAMP FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

“God made this camp just for me.”

— MICHAEL, 12, BURN SURVIVOR

Fireside chat at the 2022 Leadership Charge, where Larry Neuhaus, Peter Boudreaux, Dr. Paul Gerson and Dr. Bob Zeller gave a background on how Camp For All got started nearly 30 years ago.

“Mom it was heaven! They have everything at camp that can teach you how to be Robinhood!”

— PARKER ROBERTSON, AGE 9 ,CAMP SPIKE N’ WAVE

“CAMP FOR ALL IS BETTER THAN DISNEYLAND!”

— AALIYAH, AGE 9, CAMP PERIWINKLE 2 | CAM P F O R A L L | S P R ING 20 22

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Find your

Camp!

Camp For All Former Camper and Staff Member:

Summer 2022 DATE

CAMP

NEED

PARTNER

May 26-29

Camp Janus

Children with burns

Camp Janus

May 30 - June 3 Camp Sunrise (Tuttle)

Teens with developmental challenges

Briarwood Tuttle School

June 5-10

MDA

Children with Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Association

June 12-18

Spike & Wave

Children with epilepsy

Epilepsy Foundation of Texas Houston/Dallas/Fort Worth

June 19-24

Star Trails

Children with cancer and blood disorders

MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center

June 26-July 1 Rainbow Connection

Children with cancer

McLane Children’s Hospital, Baylor Scott & Whilte

July 3-8

Camp That Love Built

Children and adults with spina bifida

Spina Bifida Association of Houston

July 3-9

Camp Smiles

Children with cerebral palsy

Easter Seals of Greater Houston

July 10-15

Xtreme

Children competing in wheelchair sports

TIRR Foundation

July 10-15

PHEver

Children with phenylketonuria

UT Health Houston

July 10-15

Social Superheroes

Children with learning differences

Parish School

July 17-22

Shining Stars

Children with kidney disease

Kidney Kamp Foundation

July 24-29

Camp Champions

Campers with intellectual differences

The ARC of Harris County

July 31- Aug 6 Periwinkle

Children with cancer and their siblings

August 7-12

Children with skin disease

Discovery TX

Periwinkle Foundation *Please refer to www.campforall.org American Academy of Dermatology for schedule updates.

Fall 2022 DATE

CAMP

NEED

PARTNER

Sept 9-11

NF Camp

Families affected by neurofibromatosis

Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation

Sept 16-18

Be An Angel

Families with a child with special needs

Be An Angel Fund Inc.

Sept 23-25

Periwinkle YOLO

Teens and siblings with life-threatening illnesses

Periwinkle Foundation

Families affected by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses

Periwinkle Foundation

Sept 23-25 Periwinkle Family Camp

Sept 28-29

Capitol School of Austin Children with learning differences Sleepaway Camp

Capitol School of Austin

Oct 5-6

HUB

teens and young adults with neurological differences The HJB Houston

Oct 7-9

Periwinkle LTS

Teens and siblings with life-threatening illnesses

Periwinkle Foundation

Oct 7-9

Camp MOST

Teens with physical disabilities

Easter Seals of Greater Houston

Oct 14-16

Candlelighter’s Camp Cliff

Families affected by cancer

Candlelighter’s Childhood Cancer Family Alliance

Oct 20-21

Monarch Butterfly

Children with neurological differences

The Monarch School

Oct 21-23 Camp Life Children and adults with any disability

Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University

Oct 21-23

Safe Haven Family Camp

Families who foster or adopt

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Oct 28-30

Fall Camp Out

Adults with developmental challenges

ARC of Harris County

Nov 11-13

Duchenne Family Camp

Families affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Nov 11-13

Camp Love without Limits

Children with orthopedic and neurological diagnosis Shriner’s Hospital for Children

ALL ABOUT MATT

• My name is Matt, I was born and raised in the great city of Houston. I am a dwarf and a survivor of childhood cancer. I love to be outside and love baseball!

• I started out as a camper, then became a counselor for the camp I attended. I continued to be a counselor when I applied to work as Program Staff at Camp For All. • I was a camper for the first time at a family camp back in 2000.

Since then, I went to Camp For All with various camps every year.

• My favorite part about being on staff is being a part of the ‘magic’ of camp.

• I love getting to be able to be the magic for the kids like how the staff did for me back when I was a camper.

• I learned to have love for others, laugh a lot, have hope for the future, and be the healing for others that need it.

• My favorite activity is the high ropes course. I love being up in the clouds and watching the campers overcome fears.

• Most of my best friends to this day are staff I met while working at Camp For All. In fact, 3 of them are groomsmen in my wedding.

I also continue to keep in touch with former campers.

• My goal is to excel in my career but also in my personal life, like having a child in the near future. I want to continue coming to Camp For All to volunteer or be a counselor at Camp Periwinkle (the camp I went to).

• The campers are what makes Camp For All special. Watching them overcome fears, grow, and thrive is my favorite part about Camp.

*Please refer to www.campforall.org for schedule updates.

HOW TO FIND THE CAMP FOR YOU: 1

Visit www.campforall.org

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2

Click the “Find Your Camp” button in the navigation bar

3

Select the category or categories that apply to you or your loved one

4

Contact the organization directly to sign up!

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To purchase a table or learn more visit www.campforall.org/events b

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Annual Houston Gala Raised Record-Breaking Funds To Benefit Campers With Special Needs Or Challenging Illnesses

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Aloha! An Evening in Paradise

DATE: Thursday October 13, 2022, TIME: 6:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Deep In The Heart Farms (8351 TX-105, Brenham, TX 77833)

Aloha Y’all! Join us for An Evening in Paradise. Gala co-chairs Sue Anderson and Kathy Steffen and Auction Chair Marita Mikeska look forward to spreading the love, laughter, hope and healing that campers experience at Camp For All with you! This year we are thrilled to honor Sunny and Tee Dippel and Brehnam National Bank for their passionate support of Camp. Join us on October 13, 2022!

When you join us for Aloha! An Evening in Paradise, you’ll experience a casual, fun, celebration AND support children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs.

F R I D AY,

APRIL 8 On Friday, April 8, Camp For All hosted its “Homecoming 2022: A Night To Come , 2022 Together” gala. Over 500 attendees, clad in homecoming-inspired wear, gathered at CO-CHAIR S g in g e r The Revaire for an evening of Camp spirit and fun. Funds raised at the gala will help b e rt r a nd and su s a n w Camp For All welcome approximately 10,000 campers. alker The annual gala was originally scheduled for January, but was postponed due HONORIN G l au r ie to the rising numbers of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. a n d jac k madd ox The evening was emceed by Emmy Award-winning journalist, Richelle Carey, and featured a live auction. Key speaker of the night, Andrew Simms, a Camper with Partner, The Arc of Harris County, discussed his experiences living with autism and how attending Camp significantly increased his confidence.

“When I’m at Camp, I feel safe,” said Simms. “The staff at Camp listens without judgment and provides a fun, safe space where everyone is welcome to be themselves.”

As long-time cheerleaders of Camp For All, Laurie and Jack Maddox were the honorees of the event and dazzled as the Homecoming Queen and King. The evening celebrated the Maddoxes and the many roles they have played in the not-for-profit’s success, such as co-chairing the 2017 Houston gala, Board service and ongoing fundraising for the organization.

The gala’s ticket sales and live auction garnered more than $1.1 million in total.

“This year’s Houston gala blew me away. Everyone who attended truly captured the essence of Camp spirit. I hope that people walked away from the gala inspired by the Maddoxes’ leadership. Thanks to our Camp For All families’ and friends’ support, we’ll be able to bring more campers to Camp,” said Pat Prior Sorrells, President and CEO of Camp For All. Camp For All is extremely grateful for the support of our community, GO TEAM CAMP FOR ALL! 6 | C AM P F OR A LL | S P R ING 20 22

CAMP FOR ALL NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TO SERVE OUR CAMPERS. Every gift makes a huge impact on the lives of children and adults with special needs or challenging illnesses and their families. We are honored by the generosity of the compassionate and dedicated family of donors who make Camp For All possible with their kind support.

MAKE A GIFT

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

MONTHLY GIVING

MATCHING GIFTS

LEGACY GIVING

To give a gift by credit card, visit www.campforall.org/ donate. You can also send a check to: Camp For All 3701 Kirby Drive, #570 Houston, Texas 77098

If you would like to make a gift in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one, please let us know who should be notified about this special tribute.

Monthly donors are our “Energizers” each month!

Visit www.campforall. org/donate to set up your monthly or quarterly gift of $10, $25 or $50. You can stop any time you need to.

Many employers will match your contributions to Camp For All. If you need supporting documentation to complete the match, please contact Serjio Brereda at sbrereda@campforall.org.

Leave Your Legacy for Camp For All. Including Camp For All in your will can give the gift of joy, belonging and fun to thousands of campers, long after you are gone.

MORE INFORMATION If you have already planned a gift or designated Camp For All as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy or retirement account such as a 401k, or if you would like to make a gift of stock or talk to someone about a gift, please contact Development Director Mary Beth Mosley at 346-440-3036 or mmosley@campforall.org.

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3701 KIRBY DRIVE, SUITE 570 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098 6301 REHBURG ROAD • BURTON, TEXAS 77835

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE

PAID

HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 10064

“I love camp.

It’s a vacation from people who don’t understand. There are no limits to what I can do here.”

— MARCO, AGE 9, CAMP LIFE

2021 CAMP FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

Joshua Samuels, M.D. Marion Anderson Jim Avioli Laurie Baker Tom Behanick Jason Bernhardt Julie Boushka Beth Clarke Bob Davis Lyndsay Fincher Ashley Frysinger Bob Funk Philip Gallegos Steve Gilbreath Amanda M. Gyeszly Sarah Hastings Kim Hurst Alexis Leiser Michael Lewis Elizabeth Logan Stephanie Magers Matt Mogas Stacie Pitts Robin Reed Patrick Samuels Lesley Schick Susie Smith Julie Taetz Martha White Dena Wren

Support our campers while meeting and networking with other Houston leaders!

The mission of the Camp For All Emerging Leaders is to increase awareness of Camp For All, while providing charitable, social and leadership opportunities.

Join a group of driven professionals and dynamic emerging Houston leaders by donating a $50 gift annually or a $5/month recurring gift.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS • Opportunity to serve on Camp For All Board Committees • Attend unique events • Participate in meaningful volunteer projects

EX OFFICIO

Cale Ferguson Kyle Merten Pat Prior Sorrells McKensie Wren EMERITUS

Paul Gerson, M.D. Laurence B. Neuhaus Robert S. Zeller, M.D. PRESIDENT AND CEO

Pat Prior Sorrells

GENERAL COUNSEL

Gary W. Miller

Follow us! Visit www.campforall.org or call 713.686.5666 for more information about donating, attending or volunteering!