The KOA Owners Association/Care Camps Office has begun receiving thank you letters for KOA Care Camps donations from various cancer camps. Following are excerpts from such letters:
H.I.S. K.I.D.S., Inc.
"How can we begin to thank the members of KOA Care Camps for the recent grant to support our Summer Camp Program? Your wonderful organization (is) amazing and we are all so thankful for what you have done to help K.I.D.S. I hope you all realize the difference you have made in the lives of so many through your efforts, dedication and generosity."
Camp Goodtimes West, Camp Goodtimes East, Camp Ukandu, Arizona Camp Sunrise and Camp Enchantment
"On behalf of the American Cancer Society's Great West Division, I would like to thank you for the continued support of KOA Care Camps for our childhood and family camp programs in Western and Eastern Washington, Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico....It is thanks to committed partners like the KOA Owners Association that we can continue to offer summer camps free of charge for children with cancer and their families in multiple states each and every year. From our campers, staff and volunteers, thank you so very much."
Camp Hobe'
"Thank you for your generous donation...You've helped make it possible for our campers to enjoy a few days away from the stresses and uncertainties of living with cancer. They'll have the chance to play, sing and just be kids. We appreciate your generosity and we thank you on behalf of our campers and their families. Without your support, Camp Hobe' would not exist."
Sky High Hope Camp
"We are just a few days away from opening our 30th Sky High Hope Camp. We would not have been able to make this special camp possible without the help of KOA Care Camps...Thanks for enabling us to offer canoeing, archery, waterfront, skits, laughter, fishing, starry nights, s'mores, ghost stories, rafting, time with campers, time with staff, campfires, frienships and memories that will last a lifetime."
Camp Rainbow, Missouri
"On behalf of the Camp Rainbow Foundation, we would like to thank you for your most generous donation...The goal of Camp Rainbow is to provide children with cancer the opportunity of enjoy a week of camp in an environment that allows each child to participate in exciting activities, to make new friends, to build self-esteem, and to be relieved of the everyday stress caused by their illness. Also of utmost importance, Camp Rainbow provides each camper with necessary medical care...We are very appreciative that you care to help fulfill these children's dreams with your donation to Camp Rainbow. Through your gift, you have become a "Dream maker" by turning sadness into smiles on the face of a child. Words could never tell you all the good that your donation does at camp."
Cancer Family Network of Montana
"The season's blossoms remind me of renewal, beauty, spirit and growth...as we transistion into summer and prepare for Camp, we are reminded of the season's gifts and also how your gift helps make our upcoming cam possible. Throughout 2010 relaxing and healing Camp week, CFN provides an opportunity for families to feel "normal," establish a life-long support network with others across Montana...Your support provides healthy opportunities for survivors, caregivers and children alike! Many thanks!"
Phoenix Children's Hospital
"Thank you for the donation! Your continued support helps Camp Rainbow to succeed as a safe and magical place for children with cancer."
Camp Mak-A-Dream
"I'd like to personally thank you for your gift...our mission is to provide a medically supervised, cost free experience, in an intimate community setting to children, young adults and families affected by cancer. Since the first bus rolled up our sloped driveway 15 years ago, we have served over 4,800 participants. We create a sense of community and belonging which gives strength and inspiration to live with, through, and beyond the cancer experience. This community of support lasts well beyond the week of camp. The national network that is formed continues through emails, telephone calls, visits and social networking and provides a consistent source of support and encouragement. So many touching events happen...one in particular involves a young brain tumor survivor who hasn't walked more than a few steps on his own in several years. With encouragement by staff and fellow participants, patience and perserverance, he was able to climbe the mountain behind camp. Many have parelleled hiking this mountain to conquering cancer...stories such as these can only occur because of the generosity of people like you. Please know that you have made a tremendous difference in the lives of those affected by cancer."
Cook Children's Health Foundation
"As we enter summer, our thoughts turn to vacations, family gatherings and well-deserved breaks from school and work. But for many at Cook Children's, summer goals will not include travel plans to resort destinations or swimming lessons. They may not include vacation bible school, day-camp or family reunions. For some of out patients, their goal this summer is simple: recovery to good health. With your generous support, you help us ensure that our promise of improving the health status of every child in our region is one we can keep. Cook Children's would be unable to accomplish all of its wonderful successes without the ongoing support received from committed friends like you....thank you for your recent gift supporting Camp Sanguinity. With our sincerest gratitude for your support, I send you warm wishes for a safe and restful summer...thanks for making a difference in the lives of others."
Camp Sunshine Maine
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff, the volunteers and the Camp Sunshine families, I sincerely thank you for your recent donation...2010 marks the start of another quarter century of service for Camp Sunshine, and we have big plans for this year, and these next 25 years. Your support today will enable us to spread the magic of Camp Sunshine to many more families from around the country...we are very proud to share our ongoing achievements with you and to show you what a wonder investment you have made in enhancing the lives of families with sick children. On behalf of the families, thank you again for giving us the opportunity to expand our services."
Camp Rainbow AZ
"Thank you for you recent gift to Camp Rainbow...is such an important part of the healing process for our cancer patients, where they can fish, hike, kayak and go horseback riding. Cancer can take such an emotional toll on children, and Camp Rainbow allows them the opportunity to just be kids while establishing friendships that often last a lifetime. And like so many other programs, we rely on the support of our community to provide this chance of a lifetime to these children."
The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
"Thank you for your generosity. Your thoughtfulness, concern and care will allow us to create unforgettable memories for more than 15,000 seriously ill campers and their families free of charge all year long...I'd like to share with you the story of Kingdar. As a camper, he says he never felt so much love and support outside his family as he did at Camp. As a counselor, he was proud to become part of the team making the magic happen for the children. He recently told me about one of his campers - a shy boy with multiple diagnosises. The boy and his parents were concerned about this child spending time away from home. Kingdar and his fellow counselors welcomed this camper with such warmth that the boy was soon singing, dancing and making friends. Camp is more than a good time. It brings hope and healing and helps the children see past the challenges of serious illness. On his last day at Camp, this special camper shared with Kingdar that every day of the session was better than the day before. Every new day became the best day of his life."
Camp Smile-A-Mile
"On behalf of the children of Camp Smile-A-Mile, we greatly appreciate your generous donation. Thank you for your continued support...Camp Smile-A-Mile understands that medical treatments for young cancer patients are very expensive. Therefore our activities are at no cost to the children's families. We do not receive any funds from the United Way or the ACS...depend solely on private donations...Again we truly thank you for your help and hope that you will continue to find Camp Smile-A-Mile a worthy organization to support."
Special Love
"Thank you so much for your wonderful gift...what a wonderful way to kick off our 28th summer of camps and support for children with cancer and their families...it's gratifying that we won't turn away a single child this year for lack of funding, thanks to generous folks like you. Your steadfast support has been a godsend."
The Rainbow Connection
"On behalf of The Rainbow Connection, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you funding our grant...As you well know The Rainbow Connection is an organization which supports of children living with cancer. While we offer many types of support the most favorite among our families is summer camp. Every summer, campers at The Rainbow Connection leave hospitals and treatments behind to enjoy a week of camp activities including: fishing, swimming, canoeing, archery, horseback riding, overnight camp outs, and arts and crafts to name a few. At camp no one is treated as 'different' or 'sick.' Everyone gets a chance to learn new skills and meet new friends. The memories and friendships formed at The Rainbow Connection last a lifetime."
Happiness Is Camping
"For over 25 years now Happiness Is Camping has been delivering the joys of a spectacular summer to children too sick to be anywhere else. You have helped us to continue to put smiles on the faces of children tragically compromised by devastating illness. Your contribution...gives these kids a chance to be 'normal' to swim, dance, zip-line across the lake, climb a tower or take a ride on a giant swing. These are beautiful experiences to watch, to share and to make possible...because of your help we are able to meet the rising costs of running a top-notch camp for first class kids. For that we are profoundly grateful."
MCG Health Children's Medical Center
"On behalf of the patients, families and staff at MCGHealth, I am pleased to acknowledge your donation to benefit Camp Rainbow. Camp Rainbow is a day camp for MCGHealth Children's Medical Center hematology/oncology patients. The program was established in 1985. Any patient, ages 4 to 16, with cancer are eligible to attend and bring a sibling along...activities such as horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, ceramics, boating and more. Children spend time with other children who are dealing with similar issues. Camp Rainbow also offers parents a welcome break...MCGHealth Children's Medical Center is pleased to be the recipient of your generosity...know that your contributions really do make a difference."
Indian Summer Camp
"On behalf of the Friends of Indian Summer, Inc. I would like to thank your organization for the grant funding...each and every donation we receive goes towards improving the quality of life for children with cancer in Kentucky, through our camping programs. Because of your donation, Indian Summer Camp is able to provide children currently battling childhood cancers and those who are survivors, aged 6-18, a week full of once-in-a-life-time experiences and the opportunity to grow, learn and build self reliance. We teach campers to enjoy what the wide world of the outdoors has to offer and build life-long, meaningful friendships."
