[Fredslist] Camp Happy Times

[Judy Heft]

Every summer I spend the best week of my life volunteering at Camp Happy
Times run by the Valerie Fund based out of New Jersey. The Valerie Fund was
started about 25 years ago by a couple who lost their daughter, Valerie to
cancer. This camp is for kids of all economic means that are treated by any
of the Valerie fund's hospitals. Beth Israel in Newark, Columbia
Presbyterian and so many other centers in NJ that I don't even know the
names of. Some kids are in remission and some are under the care of a
physician and are on chemo. Camp is only one week long and is at Tyler Hill
Camp in Tyler Hill, PA which is about an hour outside if NYC on the upper
western NY state border. There are about 200 campers and almost as many
volunteer counselors. My sister is the volunteer director and has been for
over 20 years. She is a 27 year cancer survivor. Many of the counselors were
campers. Doctors and nurses are on staff and these kids are given their meds
in the mess hall so they aren't pulled out of activities. It is one week of
pure fun and there are so many special people who give up their time to be
there year after year. Some kids have hair and some are bald. This is the
week that they are all treated equally and no one feels different. The love
that week is amazing. Chanel cosmetics donate a day of beauty to these girls
and they get a make up lesson and are sent home with goodie bags filled to
the brim with Chanel make-up. The dance is that night too. There is a store
where donated goods are supplied. Some are new and some are slightly used.
The kids get to "shop" and take home whatever they need and want. There are
lots of inner city kids that really can use the items that range from
clothing to cosmetics to toys, school supplies and anything else you can
think of. Even if the kids can afford to go it is free for everyone. This
week is one where so many good friendships are formed that will last a life
time. It is far from depressing and it is by far the best week of my life
every year. There is an amazing talent show and so may activities that are
too many to list as well as the regular camp activities such as swimming,
arts and crafts, sports etc. This year there is a shortage of good male
counselors. The dates are Aug 22nd to Aug 29th. Counselors have to be there
at 8PM on Friday the 22nd and can leave around 11 AM on the 29th. They must
be over 22 and go through a background check. 

Also if anyone is a vendor and has some items to donate CHT is always happy
to accept these things. They have strict rules about not giving anything to
the kids that might be explicit. 

If you have the time to do this I guarantee you will have the most fabulous
week of your life. If you are interested or need more info please email
Millie Finkel, my sister the director at milliesue at aol.com. And of course
tell her you got the info from me. Here is the Camp Happy Times web site

http://www.thevaleriefund.org/camphappytimes/

 

Regards,

 

Judy Heft

203-978-1858

917-494-3986

judyheft at optonline.net

www.judithheft.com <http://www.judithheft.com/> 

Billpay and daily money management for busy individuals. 

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