Fall 2020 Newsletter

FALL 2020 HIGHLIGHTS:

Camp For All Super Stars Find Your Camp Event Information and more!

We’re opening up!

Find out how you can help!

SEE E PAG

5!

From The Chair

BY PATRICK SAMUELS

WE ’T CANIT! WA 2 | CAM P F O R A L L | FA L L 2 0 20

2020 at Camp For All and the world in general, has been nothing short of an extreme challenge as we all face the hardships COVID-19 has brought to our lives. However, in true Campfashion, we found a way to adapt, innovate and persevere through it all.

Although Camp For All suffered a loss of revenue of nearly $2 million and for the first time in our history had to close our gates to our special campers, we stayed positive and found ways to keep the magic of Camp For All alive for them.

Donors responded immediately to the Camp Emergency Fund and our urgent need; your gifts are helping us through this challenging time.

The Camp staff were extremely creative in continuing to find ways to bring joy to campers and beyond, launching Camp For All Virtual Activities.

Although not all activities were done exactly the way they would be done in-person, the entire team pivoted and adapted activities that were enjoyable and engaging. Activities ranged from Arts & Crafts, to Cooking Class, to Morning Energizers, Story Time, meeting Ranch and Barnyard Animals and more! The virtual activities became so popular and generated such great feedback that they even caught the attention of Fox My20 Houston television station who featured the activities for broadcast as Camp For All Summer Camp TV every week for the month of June. WOW! Last but certainly not least, fellow board member Matt Mogas, his father Louis Mogas and the employees at MOGAS Industries, Inc. made Camp For All the beneficiary of the Pie In The Face Challenge. This unique and fitting challenge asked that supporters get “pied” in the face, donate to Camp For All and tag others to do the same. It was such a success and gave us much needed laughter. Originally, the Mogas’ agreed to match $50,000. But they ended up matching the full $64,000 that Camp raised, totaling nearly $130,000! We could not be more grateful to Matt, Louis and the entire MOGAS Industries team for their incredible generosity and support.

I could not be more proud to be the Chair of such a wonderful organization. No matter what obstacles we face, our donors, Partners, volunteers, Board and staff always beat the odds, staying true to the Camp For All mission.

To view our virtual activities visit www.youtube.com/user/CampForAll1993/videos

MISSION Camp For All is a unique, barrier-free camp working in partnership with other not-for-profit organizations to enrich the lives of children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs and their families throughout the year.

Making Lemonade You know the saying about life giving you lemons. 2020 PAT PRIOR SORRELLS, PRESIDENT AND CEO

has given all of us way too many lemons! But, that hasn’t stopped Camp For All staff from pooling their creative juices and coming up with the sweetest new program.

It’s called Camp For Y’All.

Since most of our fall camps canceled, Camp For Y’All is an opportunity for individual families to come to Camp, get away from it all and generate much needed revenue. This is not our usual business model, meaning the families can come without directly being affiliated with one of our 65 different Mission Partners.

Health protocols will be in place and families can choose from all kinds of Camp For All activities. One family per cabin for a total of 18 families will have an opportunity for country fun at its finest. Orange you glad you

Availability:

October 28-30 October 30 – November 1 November 18-20 November 20-22 December 2-4 December 4-6 January 13-15 January 15-17

read this? Come join us!

For more information, visit: www.campforall.org/camp-for-yall/

CAMP WISH LIST!

l Special Diet 4 Burner Range: $2,500 l Ice Machine: $3,500 l Automated External Defibrillator: $1,500 FALL 2020 | CA M P FOR A LL | 3

Camps that come to Camp For All Spring 2021

DATE CAMP Jan 22-24 Re-Evaluation Counseling

NEED Adults in counseling with mental health issues

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

PARTNER Re-Evalution Counseling

Feb 19-21 LIFE Children with physical and intellectual disabilities Center on Disability and Development Texas A&M University

Find your camp or recommend a camp to a friend or family member.

March 4-5

Camp For Joy

Children with language and learning differences

The Joy School

March 15-19

Camp For All 2U - MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital

Program for children in hospitals

Camp For All

March 24-26

Monarch Butterfly

Children with neurological differences

The Monarch School

April 9-11 Periwinkle Family Camp

Families affected by cancer or other life-threatening illnesses

The Periwinkle Foundation

April 9-11

Periwinkle’s YOLO

Teens and siblings with life-threatening illnesses

The Periwinkle Foundation

April 16-18

SIA

Children and teens with gastrointestinal diseases Texas Children’s Hospital - GI

April 22-23

Monarch Chrysalis

Children with neurological differences

The Monarch School

Adults with brain injuries

Texas District Pilot Clubs

April 29 - May 2 Higher Ground

Summer 2021 *Please refer to www.campforall.org for schedule updates.

DATE CAMP June 13-19 Spike ‘n’ Wave

NEED Children with epilepsy

PARTNER Epilepsy Foundation of Texas Houston/Dallas/Fort Worth

June 20-25

Star Trails

Children with cancer and blood disorders

MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center

Jun-23

Star Trails Junior Camper Day Children with cancer and blood disorders

MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center

June 27-July 2 Rainbow Connection

Children and teens with cancer

Childhood Cancer Connection

June 27-July 2 Dreamcatcher

Children with cancer

McLane Children’s Hospital, Baylor Scott and White

July 4-9

Camp That Love Built

Children and adults with spina bifida

Spina Bifida Association Houston Gulf Coast

July 4-9

Smiles

Children with cerebral palsy

Easter Seals of Greater Houston

July 11-16

Xtreme

Children participating in wheelchair sports

TIRR Foundation

July 11-16

PHEver

Children and teens with phenylketonuria

University of Texas Health Science Center

July 11-16

Social Superheroes

Children with social and learning differences

The Parish School

July 11-16

Camp For All 2U - MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital

Program for children in hospitals

Camp For All

July 18-23

Camp Hope

Children with HIV and AIDS

AIDS Foundation Houston

July 25-30

Camp Champions

Campers 10-60 with intellectual challenges

The Arc of Greater Houston

Aug 1-7 Camp Periwinkle

Children with cancer and blood disorders and their siblings

The Periwinkle Foundation

Aug 8-13

Camp Cell-A-Bration

Children with sickle cell disease

Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation

Aug 8-13

Camp Discovery, Texas

Children with skin disorders

National MS Society Lone Star

Aug 8-13

Camp Shining Stars

Children and teens with kidney disease

Kidney Kamp Foundation

HOW TO FIND THE CAMP FOR YOU: 1

Visit www.campforall.org

4 | CAM P F O R A L L | FA L L 2 0 20

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!

Camp For All Love!

“Camp is an amazing place to be, it’s like a second home for me and I look forward to camp every single year. I have met so many amazing people there. Camp For All is a place where people with disabilities can almost ‘forget’ about their disability because everything is perfect so we can enjoy ourselves barriers free. I love it” – CAMP THAT LOVE BUILT CAMPER, SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON

“ It’s been so fun introducing Camp For All energizers to Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital!”

—C HILD LIFE SPECIALISTS FROM PITTSBURGH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Camp For All needs YOUR support to serve our campers each year.

Every gift is important, and can make 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 like you, who make Camp For All possible with your kind support.

MAKE A GIFT 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 GIVING 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.

“ I love y’all! ”

– POOJA LODHIA, REPORTER AT ABC13 HOUSTON

“Can’t wait for Camp again!”

– CAMP FOR ALL CAMPER

VE O L “WE P FOR CAMALL”

Y MAN SO YS TO WA NATE! DO

MATCHING GIFTS Many employers will match your contributions to Camp For All. If you need supporting documentation to complete the match, please Mary Beth Mosley at mmosley@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.

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 713-686-5666 x12 or mmosley@campforall.org.

FALL 2020 | CA M P FOR A LL | 5

H THE HAMILL FOUNDATION H THE BROWN FOUNDATION, INC. H THE SAMUELS FOUNDATION H THE CRAIN FOUNDATION H MELINDA AND MATT MOGAS H MARILYN AND LOUIS MOGAS HM OGAS INDUSTRIES/MOGAS EMPLOYEES HM ARTHA AND BUZZ WHITE HH OWARD HUGHES CORPORATION HT HE POWELL FOUNDATION HT HE JOHN M. O'QUINN FOUNDATION H J ANET AND TOM BEHANICK HS ARAH AND JOHN HASTINGS H MAY

AND STANLEY SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST

HS CURLOCK FOUNDATION HS TRIKE H L IKEMINDS COMMUNICATIONS HF OX 26 HOUSTON/MY 20 HC AMP FOR ALL DONORS & VOLUNTEERS

YOU!

H

6 | CAM P F O R A L L | FA L L 20 20

Through the challenging spring and summer, several members of the Camp For All family came to the rescue for our campers. These Camp For All Stars went the extra mile to make sure children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs have a barrier-free home away from home.

Camp For All Events are Special!

CO-CHAIRS: KATIE ALFORD MINDY MERTEN JENNY SCHAER

HONOREES: MICHELLE AND JONATHAN ZSCHECH & SEIDEL SCHROEDER

AT 6:00 PM

Where: Deep In The Heart Farms

8351 Highway 105, Brenham, TX 77833 When: Thursday, January 21, 2021, 6:00 p.m.

It’s time to roll out the red carpet because Camp For All is having A Night With The Stars! Event co-chairs Katie Alford, Mindy Merten, and Jenny Schaer look forward to hosting you for a glamorous celebration! Put on your evening gowns and pearls or dress as your favorite screen icon. Hollywood sparkle or Washington County casual – you decide on the style!

Your support of the annual Camp For All gala in Washington County will ensure that campers with challenging illnesses or special needs continue to have joyful and life-changing experiences in a safe, supportive environment. To purchase a table, donate or learn more visit campforall.org/events

Camp For All Gates Have Reopened!!

For the first time since March, we are happy to report that laughter is again ringing through the grounds of Camp For All! In September we welcomed eighteen special families from our Partner, Be An Angel.

Campers loved being back on the giant swing, fishing in the lake, making s’mores, horseback riding and more! We are thrilled to continue to provide a place that enriches the lives of children and adults with special needs or challenging illnesses.

“ I work in a hospital and the stress level we had as a family was tremendously high with the pandemic going on.

I feel like a new person now, so I want to say thank you SO MUCH to the staff, organizers and donors that made this weekend possible.”

– CABALLERO FAMILY,

BE AN ANGEL FUND INC.

FALL 2020 | CA M P FOR A LL | 7

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

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE

PA I D

HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 10064

2020 CAMP FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS C HA I R

Patrick Samuels Marion Anderson Gary Appelt, M.D. Tom Behanick Brett Berly Jason Bernhardt Julie Boushka Beth Clarke Lyndsay Weber Fincher Bob Funk Steve Gilbreath Mark Harmon Michael E. Lewter Stephanie Magers Matt Mogas Mike Odegard Stacie Pitts Robin Reed Ann Rogers Joshua Samuels, M.D. Lesley Schick Julie Taetz Eric Wade Leslye Weaver Martha White Dena Wren Julius Young

Camp For All would like to give a huge thank you to each and every one of our kind and dedicated volunteers!

Whether it be at Camp, Camp For All 2U or at events, none of it would be possible without the time and effort you graciously give throughout the year.

EX OF F I C I O

Katie Dowdell Kyle Merten Pat Prior Sorrells Peter Wismer EMER I TUS

Paul Gerson, M.D. Laurence B. Neuhaus Robert S. Zeller, M.D. P R ESI DENT A ND C EO

Pat Prior Sorrells

G E NER A L C OUNSEL

Gary W. Miller

Volunteers from the National Charity League-West recently helped prep Camp for our first weekend of campers.

YOU make it possible for campers with special needs and challenging illnesses to discover life!

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