Posted by Tom Talbott

A summer day brought sunshine in the form of Mike Smith, Development Director for Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. Mike, a Paul Harris Fellow from the Lakes Region Rotary Club, duly noted how in 1997 Rotarians from multiple Maine clubs in District 7780 cedar shaked (and stained) a 25,000-square foot building in just 2 days, enabling the camp to open on schedule.

A technical glitch interrupted a video presentation, but Mike deftly switched to manual pilot. He spoke of the Camp’s humble beginnings in 1984 -  space donated from the owners of Point Sebago Campground, Anna and Dr. Larry Gould. They had seen a TV program about a summer camp for children with cancer, and decided to offer the same opportunity. 

43 children and their families attended the first session in June 1984. Arrangements were made to increase the services to 2 weeks at the beginning and end of summer, but it was soon evident that a permanent facility be established to meet the popular demand. In 2001, using 24 acres of land donated by the Goulds, a year-round facility opened.

Today, 28 sessions are offered annually, with 40 families each session. Camp Sunshine has provided services and support to families from 50 states and 27 countries. Weeks are set up to be specific to particular illnesses, cancers, blood disorders, and so on. This is done to enable people to come together who are sharing and dealing with a common issue. The goal for the families is to regroup, reenergize, and restore.

2500 annual volunteers, ages 16-90, with 80-90 volunteers per session, handle every aspect from maintenance, kitchen/food service, hospitality, and activities. Essentially, it’s a hotel with 90 rooms, and a new staff every Sunday. New volunteers go through several hours of training on Sunday morning, prior to the guests arriving that afternoon. 

Over 100 treatment centers across the U.S. refer patients to the camp. In addition, Sunshine is well known for creating special events! They hold two Guinness World Records – the most lit Jack O’Lanterns in one spot (30,128 on Boston Commons) and the World’s Tallest Sandcastle (35 feet). Events like these have landed the camp on the Today Show and Good Morning America. Google picked up the theme by spelling Google in the form of a sand castle – with credit to the camp. That’s world-wide! On Friday, Sept 22, it’s the Maine Suitcase Party! A private hangar at Portland JetPort will turn into a nightclub. One winner and a guest will board a private Lear Jet, fly to NYC, get limo service to a luxury hotel in Times Square, receive $500 in spending cash, an unforgettable weekend and returned to the Portland Jetport the same way pm Sunday! Tix are on sale now at www.mainesuitcaseparty.com

When asked if the camp had a religious leaning, Mike noted that the Camp has no markers for religious convictions, or economic status. There is no cost for families, including meals, housing, and recreation. There is transportation assistance coming from approx. $125k-$150k donated per year.

There is no transfer of data to track the recovery rate of the visiting children. Bereavement programs are available for families who have lost a child. Some parents return to volunteer, to both remember the good moments they shared, as well as help others who are going through similar circumstances. 

Camp Sunshine has earned a 4-star rating on the National Charity Navigator, which grades fiscal responsibility and transparency. This recognition does lead to more donations, such as $1 million per year from the Tropical Smoothie Café’s 600 stores. 56% of donations received are $500 or less, but it all adds up to a $3.8-million-dollar budget.

There are many ways to contribute and to be a part of Camp Sunshine. You’d look good in a yellow volunteer shirt! FMI: www.campsunshine.org/

 

(Photo L-R: President Don Zillman, Mike Smith and Linda Varrell.)