Another week is flying by here at Camp Good Days and once again, our thoughts and prayers go out to one of own, as Karl Rudolfs, who is our Information Technology Coordinator and helps to coordinate the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner, which is our largest fundraising event in the Rochester area, lost his Dad this past Sunday. We also are keeping Mark Serrett, our Recreational Facility Manager, in our thoughts and prayers, as his father is in critical condition at the hospital.
One of the reasons I am so proud to lead this organization is because I have such a wonderful and dedicated team of staff members. We have a very small staff but they have all continued to dig deep over these difficult past few weeks and pitch in and step up wherever and whenever needed. It is because of this that we have not missed a beat during what is our busiest and most important time of the year.
A new group of campers headed to the Recreational Facility on Monday morning, for the Childhood USA Program, which is for children ages 8-17 who have a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with cancer within the past three years and / or who is actively undergoing treatment. Nearly 80 children are enjoying a fun-filled week at Camp Good Days and enjoying the beautiful weather we continue to be blessed with. The all-beach and pool activities are definitely favorites in this weather!
On Tuesday, the campers all boarded the buses and came to the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters in Mendon, as we had a very special visit and performance from the Navy Band Northeast, as part of Navy Week here in Rochester. I was pleasantly surprised and so pleased that Don Quinn, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Commander, Navy Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel was able to join us. Admiral Quinn is a Rochester native and his Dad, also Don, was a longtime football and wrestling coach in East Rochester and someone I have always admired. I had the chance to talk with Admiral Quinn and share some information about Camp Good Days with him, and all that we have accomplished over these 32 years, which he was interested in learning about since he left Rochester prior to Camp Good Days being formed. The campers had a fantastic time and the Navy personnel could not have been any nicer. Their kindness, courtesy and professionalism are all a true credit to the United States Navy. As another special highlight to their week at Camp Good Days, the campers from Rochester and Buffalo will have the chance to attend a special practice and rehearsal of the Blue Angels on Friday, courtesy of the ESL International Air Show.
It was exciting to watch some of the Women’s World Cup game on Wednesday afternoon, when the United States took on France and came away with the win, 3-1. Many of us in the Rochester area know Abby Wambach, as she too is a Rochester native, and we can all take great pride in the US Women’s Soccer Team and we wish them the very best as they head into the finals this Sunday!
We are still working on finalizing details and plans for the four Cancer Mission 2020 Congressional District Cancer Summits, which are all taking place next month. I had the chance to speak with Dr. Leslie Kohman, Distinguished Service Professor, Medical Director of Surgery, and Medical Director, Upstate Cancer Center at Upstate University Hospital, on Wednesday morning, and I am so pleased she has agreed to serve as our special Guest Speaker for the 28th Congressional District Cancer Summit, which will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. Dr. Kohman is a true pioneer in her field and I am very much looking forward to spending some time with her at the Cancer Summit.
We will be having an informational and training meeting for our Cancer Mission 2020 College Campus Advocates, here in the Mendon Office this Saturday and we are looking forward to getting these young people on their way to helping us in this important initiative.
Don’t forget to check out www.cancermission2020.com for all of the up-to-date information on the Congressional District Cancer Summits and the Cancer Mission 2020 College Campus Advocate Program, and please share the site with your contacts, encouraging them to join us by signing the Cancer Mission 2020 petition, so that we can all come together to put an end to cancer by the end of the decade!
Today brought a full day of meetings. We had the Project Exile Advisory Board Meeting followed by a planning meeting of the Project T.I.P.S. Committee. Project T.I.P.S., as I have mentioned previously, stands for Trust, Information, Programs and Services, and we will be holding a Press Conference regarding our next event, tomorrow morning. James McCauley, Jr., our Partners Against Violence Everywhere (PAVE) Initiative Coordinator and I met with Carlos Cotto this afternoon in regards to the Leadership Program we host at Camp Good Days, in cooperation with the Rochester City School District for students transitioning from Elementary School to Middle School. Tomorrow, after the Project T.I.P.S. Press Conference I am looking forward to meeting our campers over at the Greater Rochester International Airport for the Blue Angels practice.
In addition to all of the challenges we have been dealing with – there is the saying that it takes a village to raise a child – well, it apparently takes Camp Good Days to raise a kitten. We are all helping and supporting Ryan in her quest to save and nurture “Peter” the two week old kitten she is rescuing!
There is certainly never a dull moment here!
It is hard to even believe that we are heading into mid-July already – the summer is going way too fast – and hard to believe it is already Thursday again! But, we continue onward and wish all of you a healthy, happy and safe weekend!
PS: If you’re not a fan of Camp Good Days on facebook, like us at www.facebook.com/CampGoodDays79. You’ll be privy to all of our updates, photos, and more!
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