Summertime is just around the corner and so is summer camp for many lucky children. I was one of the lucky ones. I went to camp. I made friends, sang songs, ate smores, and felt the love & kindness of all of my counselors. I enjoyed my time away and learned so much. I went on to become a camp counselor for a couple of years myself as a teenager which proved to be just as memorable as being a camper. Camp memories last a lifetime. I really wish every child had an opportunity to experience summer camp and so I am doing all I can to make this a reality for many Southern California kids this summer.
This Saturday May 1, 2010 I will have the honor of chairing the 3rd annual Camper by Camper gala hosted by St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles. 100% of the proceeds from this evening that are raised will go to sponsor children to summer camp (ages 7-13) in the Santa Barbara mountains at a place called Circle V Ranch. Circle V hosts thousands of kids during the summer months to fun in the sun, arts & crafts, campfires and songs, making new friends as well as providing great mentors in camp counselors and camp staff. It costs $300 to send one child to the week long summer camp at Circle V.
Last summer, I visited Circle V Ranch as a volunteer and took my son who was 10 years old at the time. He became a camper and I volunteered where they needed me. My son did not want to leave when camp was over. I spent my time learning as much I could about Circle V and took in all the magic of summer camp once again. I came to quickly realize, Circle V is a very special place and I could do more to help send children in Southern California to camp next summer.
Raising my young son in Los Angeles as well as being a business owner here, I am invested in my community. I have always found it extremely important to give back to my community and lead by example. There are so many disadvantaged kids throughout the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties that never have the opportunity to go to camp, get away from their city blocks or challenging home environments and just be kids. I feel a sense of responsibility to help young children that are my neighbors, my son's peers and the future leaders of our world. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." My mission is to help youth in my community. Please join me in sending kids to camp this summer.
Camper by Camper hopes to raise thousands of dollars this weekend to send a record number of kids in need to summer camp! For more than 60 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles has sent tens of thousands of at-risk youth to its Circle V Ranch to experience summer camp. To learn more about Circle V Ranch and to join me in sponsoring a child to camp go to svdpla.org
For more than 100 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles has provided programs and services for children, the homeless and the poor within the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara that are free of charge regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, handicap or national origin.