Thursday, June 7, 2012

Kick Off To Summer!

It is hard to believe that May 2012 has come and gone!  Looking back, it was a very special month, which started on May 1, 2012 when I was honored to receive the Town of Pittsford’s Citizen of the Year Award.  We also held our first and very successful Project T.I.P.S. event of the 2012 season, on Friday, May 18, 2012 in Jones Park.  I was then honored to be presented with the Major Donald Holleder Award at the Press Radio Club’s Day of Champions Dinner on May 23, 2012, and that same evening, I was thrilled that our County Executive, Maggie Brooks, included CANCER MISSION 2020 in her State of the County Address. 

While all of these exciting things were happening for me, and for Camp Good Days, we have now come into June and the month started off with one of our own having to undergo surgery for cancer.  While we continue to pray for all those dealing with this terrible disease, we also are moving forward with what is our busiest time of the year.  Last Saturday we held the Volunteer Training Session at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility, for all new volunteers.  That was followed by the training session for the Counselors in Training on Saturday and Sunday.  I was pleased to have had the opportunity to share some words with the new volunteers and to meet some of them personally. 

We were fortunate to have two old friends join us for the training.  Patrick Crough, who is retired from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, where he was a Major Crimes Investigator, spoke to all of the volunteers about the serious issues of child abuse and sexual abuse.  Following his retirement from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Patrick wrote The Serpents Among Us: How to Protect Your Children From Sexual Predators.  A Police Investigator’s Perspective.  Patrick had everyone’s attention and we were very fortunate to have him share his many years of experience and knowledge with our volunteers.  I have known Patrick for many years, as he was the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department representative for the Project Exile Advisory Board, when that program was in its infancy.  Patrick is a true law-enforcement professional and both he and his wife, Suzanne, have become dear friends to Camp Good Days. 

Another good friend, Scott Vallow, also made the trip to the Recreational Facility, along with his two sons.  Scott spent many years as the Goalkeeper for the Rochester Rhinos, and is now an Assistant Coach with the team.  Scott shared his vision about teamwork and the importance of giving back to those less fortunate.  Scott represents everything that is good in sports and I so much appreciated him making the trip, as he did so knowing that he had to get back to Rochester and to Sahlen’s Stadium by 5:00 PM, for the Rochester Rhinos’ game against the Richmond Kickers.  Scott has been so generous to the children and families at Camp Good Days.  He has taken the time to visit during the Doing A World Of Good Program each summer, with the Rochester Rhinos, and donates proceeds from his various soccer camps and trainings, done through his Train Like A Champion Program, and proceeds from the annual Soccer in the Sand Tournament held in August.

As a special highlight for everyone at Volunteer Training, the Conesus Lake Riders and the participants in the Annual Ridin’ for a Reason Motorcycle Ride stopped at Camp on Saturday afternoon, as they were making their way from Arkport, New York to Dansville, New York.  More than 120 motorcycles came through and the riders had a chance to take a break and visit with the volunteers and staff.  Special thanks to the Conesus Lake Riders for their continued support and generosity and to all those who participated in this annual event, from which all proceeds benefit the children and families we serve. 

This past Monday, some of us headed to Buffalo to attend the Return Volunteer Training session and it was great to see so many people excited about coming back to volunteer at Camp Good Days this summer.

On Tuesday, we held our 29th Annual Tournament of Love at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford.  By all accounts we had a successful event, despite some challenges along the way!  We were blessed with a beautiful day with weather perfect for golfing; the course was in great shape; the staff at Monroe Golf Club went above and beyond in creating a hospitable and pleasant venue for all the participants; and I have only heard positive comments about the event, which is a reflection of the hard work of our Special Events Coordinator, Nicole.  It was so nice to see so many people enjoying the day, all in support of the children and families we serve, and we were honored that our County Executive, Maggie Brooks, and our County District Attorney, Sandra Doorley both took the time out of their hectic schedules to be a part of the event.  Special thanks go out to our event Chairpersons, Paul & Kirsten Estabrooks and the entire committee for all of their hard work and dedication; as well as to Rich Funke, Anchor at NEWS10NBC for serving as our Master of Ceremonies and Sister Francella Quinn for providing the Invocation at dinner, and to all of our sponsors, donors, supporters, volunteers, and participants.

One of the challenges we faced with the Tournament of Love this year was that Mark Herzlich, Linebacker with the Super Bowl Champion NY Giants, was originally scheduled to appear as the Special Guest for the event.  Unfortunately, Head Coach Coughlin called a mandatory practice for this week and as a player under contract, Mark has no choice but to participate in these mandatory practices.  However, Mark wanted to honor his commitment to Camp Good Days and has agreed to come to Rochester for a special evening on Wednesday, June 27, 2012.  “Life, Cancer, and the NFL…An Evening With NY Giants’ Mark Herzlich”   will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel, 70 State Street, Downtown Rochester. 

Mark’s story is one that exemplifies courage and determination.  An All-American Linebacker at Boston College, Mark was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and went on to return to football, securing a place as a member of the New York Giants.

“Two years ago, I was told I might never walk again,’ Mark typed to his loyal followers on Twitter. “Just walked off the plane in Indy to play in the Super Bowl. Take that cancer!” One week later, Mark Herzlich found himself celebrating at midfield with his teammates as part of the 2011 Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

As oftentimes has occurred over the years, you come to realize that there is a reason for the way things happen.  Although we were disappointed that Mark was unable to make it to Rochester for our Tournament of Love, we are thrilled that he is willing to honor his commitment to the children and families at Camp Good Days.  This special evening will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear at length from Mark, about his football career thus far and playing both in college and as part of a Super Bowl winning team, but also about his courageous battle with cancer.  The evening will be casual and fun, with stadium-style foods and for me personally, it will be a very special way to commemorate what would have been my daughter Teddi’s birthday.

Tickets for “Life, Cancer, and the NFL…An Evening With NY Giants’ Mark Herzlich” are a perfect and unique Father’s Day Gift or Graduation Gift!  What better way to show you care than to send your loved one to this one-of-a-kind evening, and at the same time know that you are helping the children and families at Camp Good Days!  Tickets to attend are $60.00 per person are available by contacting Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135 or may be purchased online at www.campgooddays.org.

Also on Tuesday, we kicked off the Camp Good Days’ Car Raffle.  Once again, through the generous support of Jay and Jay Jay Vanderstyne, Vanderstyne Toyota, and Toyota Motors, we have been given this amazing opportunity and 100% of every dollar raised through the sale of these raffle tickets will benefit the children and families at Camp Good Days.  The drawing will take place on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31, 2012 and the prize is a 2012 Toyota Corolla-S Model, featuring sunroof, cruise control, Bluetooth, power windows, and power locks.  The MSRP of the vehicle is $20,225.00.  The 2012 Toyota Corolla offers the ideal blend of comfort, value and safety.  The Toyota Corolla has remarkable performance and fuel efficiency, plus an impressive list of safety features. 

Tickets for the Camp Good Days’ Car Raffle are $25.00 each and may be purchased by contacting Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135 or online at www.campgooddays.org.  Tickets may be purchased using cash, check, or credit card.  The prize winner must be at least 18 years of age.

This week will come to a close with a meeting on Friday morning of the Project T.I.P.S. Committee, with Rochester Police Chief, James Sheppard and many of our law enforcement and community partners, where we will be discussing plans for the events scheduled for July and August.  I will then be heading out to Camp, as we have a full weekend ahead.

On Sunday, June 10, 2012 we will officially kick off the 2012 season.  We will be having a very special Day of Dedications and I am so pleased that as part of the ceremonies on Sunday, we will cut the ribbon and dedicate the newest building, the Corey Cabin, in loving memory of our dear friend and supporter, Lyle Corey, who passed away unexpectedly in the summer of 2010.  This new building was constructed with much donated labor and materials and was done so under the guidance, management and leadership of LeChase Construction, where Lyle worked for many years.  The Corey Cabin is a beautiful new building and was much needed to help us accommodate the space we lost when we tore down the old motel building last spring.  I am so happy that some of Lyle’s family and friends and some of those who helped to make this building a reality, will be able to join us on Sunday.

We will also have our Ring of Honor Induction Ceremony on Sunday, during which we will unveil the bricks in the Ring of Honor area, for those who were recognized as 2011 Ring of Honor Inductees at the Night of Gratitude held in March.  Our newest class of inductees includes: Mary Pat Allen; Joe Cascio; Sarah Clapper; Gary Amendola and the Gary Amendola Fun Fund at Woods, Oviatt; Ron Dougherty; Will & Muriel Herzog; the New York State Police; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department; the Rochester Police Department; Stacey & Chris Ruisi; Amy Schmidt; Cameron Tebbi, MD; St. Philip’s Church; Sahlen’s Packing Company; and the Vinette Family. 

Also on the agenda for Sunday, we will be dedicating the Basketball Court in honor of our dear friend, John “The Gov” Gilmore, who has been a part of the Camp Good Days’ family for many, many years and was instrumental in the success of the Tournament of Love for many years.  We will be dedicating a special bench, in memory of Ramon Santiago, who was an internationally recognized artist and a true friend to the children and families at Camp Good Days.  Ramon lost his own battle with cancer more than 10 years ago.

We will also be having a special service and dedicating the Outdoor Chapel in memory of Father David Ambuske.  From 1982 through last summer, Father Ambuske would come down to Camp on the first evening of each program session to officiate over the optional Prayer Service, which has become a tradition and a part of the customs at Camp Good Days.  Unfortunately, Father Ambsuke lost his battle to heart disease last year, shortly before the holiday season.

Last but certainly not least, Wendy and I will be celebrating our 17th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday and like most years, we will be spending it together doing something with Camp Good Days.  It is also Wendy’s Dad’s birthday on Sunday, so we wish him a very happy one and many more!

As you can tell, Sunday promises to be a very busy day for all of us at Camp Good Days as we officially begin our 33rd summer of providing residential camping programs for children and families whose lives have been touched by cancer.  But it will be a day to remember and to honor some of the very special people that have been a part of the Camp Good Days’ family over the years.

Through this adventure that has been Camp Good Days I have had the opportunity to meet so many special people – like Father David Ambuske, Lyle Corey, John Gilmore, Ramon Santiago and many, many more.

Another special person that has been a part of our family is moving…Judy Immeosoete is moving across the country to be closer to her family.  Judy, better known as Mother Nature at Camp Good Days, has been volunteering for many years both at the programs for children dealing with cancer and for the Women’s Oncology Programs.  Last Friday, Judy stopped by Camp, where some of her friends were getting ready for the Volunteer Training.  They all had the chance to spend some time together and to say goodbye.  Judy read them all a poem she had written about Camp Good Days, and everyone was so touched by her words.  Wendy shared that poem with me, and I leave you all, for now, by sharing it with you…



There was a child, a small little girl
who was ill
then lost her chance for a life so full
of laughter and joy and parties galore
but gave to us the chance to be
friends of the lasting kind
who support each other regardless of time.
Teddi brought us together, I didn’t know her, and most of us can say the same,
we are friends because we heard her name.
We laugh, we cry, we come back for more,
We have touched each other in ways so mysterious
there were times when we laughed ourselves delirious
and cried…but never asked why,
because we knew.
This child called Teddi gave to us a friendship so dear
my life changed the day I came here
my stuff in tow
and because of you my friends my life did grow.
I will have memories of the times we spent together
of the love I have for each of you
because of a child, a little girl, I never knew.
I have been blessed with friendship by all of you.

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