Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine, in Maine, is a retreat for children, with life threatening illnesses, and their families. It runs year-round and provides recreation, group support and on-site medical support and focuses on alleviating the strain a critical illness takes not only on the ill child, but also on other members of the immediate family. There are no fees to attend the camp but the families must provide their own transportation. Those families that live in the northeast are ale to drive to the Camp. But those who live far away often cannot attend, because the transportation costs are too steep.
Our Involvement
HOT likes Camp Sunshine for many reasons. A life threatening illness robs children of their childhood and families of the joys of day-to-day family life. Camp Sunshine works to restore some of the fabric of the family by providing happy memories and the opportunity to develop coping skills. Additionally, 1,000 volunteers donate their time to Camp Sunshine and assist with recreational leadership, childcare, food service, waterfront activities, housekeeping and maintenance. At least 30,000 volunteer hours each year result in an annual cost savings to Camp Sunshine of over $250,000.
Hands On Tzedakah offered Camp Sunshine's director a challenge, which was to find a donor to match our grant for transportation. Air Tran came through and HOT provided transportation for families from Florida to attend the special transplant session of camp. As a result 5 families from Florida were able to attend Camp Sunshine and receive the support they so desperately needed. For summer 2006, Hot proved to be the leverage necessary in getting matching grants from St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach, Transplant Foundation, Inc. (affiliated with the University of Miami School of Medicine) and JetBlue airlines.
We would like to raise additional funds to that we can meet the transportation needs of other families facing a child’s critical illness and so much in need of family respite care. In addition to transportation, Camp Sunshine’s wish list includes new sleeping bags, new car seats, twin size quilts and knitting supplies.
Contact Information:
Matt Hoidal, Executive Director, Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, Maine 04015, Tele: (207) 655-3800, Email: mhoidal@campsunshine.org, www.campsunshine.org
