Summer in Full Swing!

Forgive me not being as good about these blog updates as I would like to be, but after reading this, you will understand how crazy things are here.  One only has to step outside to realize that we are truly into the summer season and here at Camp Good Days we are busy with a lot of special events, activities and our residential camping programs. 

A couple of weeks ago, on Wednesday, June 27^th, which would have been my daughter Teddi’s birthday, we hosted “Life, Cancer, and the NFL…An Evening with NY Giants’ Mark Herzlich” at the Rochester Plaza.  As I shared previously, we had to really live by our motto of adapt and adjust, as Mark was originally scheduled to be in Rochester on June 5^th as the Special Guest for our Tournament of Love golf tournament, but was required to be at mandatory practices that week.  Mark wanted to honor his commitment to the children and families at Camp Good Days and although we had minimal time to plan, promote, and prepare, I am pleased to report that the event came together and exceeded all of our expectations.  A very special thank you to The Flanders Group, ESL Federal Credit Union, and the Democrat & Chronicle for their sponsorship and support of this special evening! 

The more than 200 guests in attendance had a fantastic, laid-back evening with stadium-style foods served for dinner and had the chance to hear from Mark about his life, his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma and his courage and determination to not only defeat cancer but to make it into the NFL and win the Super Bowl as a member of the NY Giants.  Guests also had the opportunity to ask Mark questions and he went above and beyond in taking the time to answer questions, sign autographs, and take photographs.  Mark also spent some time prior to the dinner with some of the campers who have served as Honorary Coaches with the St. John Fisher College Cardinals and the University of Rochester Yellowjackets for the Annual Courage Bowl.  He talked to them one-on-one about his battle with cancer, playing football in college, playing in the NFL and going to the Super Bowl.  I am sure that the experience made some great memories that these campers will carry with them for a long time.  Save the date… the Eighth Annual Camp Good Days’ COURAGE BOWL will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2012.  We are bringing the COURAGE BOWL back to Growney Stadium on the campus of St. John Fisher College, where the Cardinals will take on the University of Rochester Yellowjackets for one more game and this is one you won’t want to miss!  Following this year’s COURAGE BOWL, the Cardinals will face a new opponent in future COURAGE BOWL games.

Our Junior Good Days program also took place from Tuesday, June 26, 2012 through Friday, June 29, 2012, both in the Rochester and Syracuse areas.  This program is for those children, ages 4-7 that are still too young to attend residential camp.  The highlight of the program came on Friday, June 29, 2012 when all of the Junior Good Days’ campers and volunteers from Rochester and Syracuse spent the day at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility on Keuka Lake, and got to have a little taste of what “big” camp is all about.

This past Thursday through Saturday, we held the Women’s Wellness I Program.  It was a great program and a great group of women, many of them new to Camp Good Days.  They had the opportunity to be pampered and take the time to relax and rejuvenate, with some of the only people in the world who can truly understand what they are going through – other women with cancer.  The participants were able to take advantage of a variety of activities during the program including: massages, manicures, creating their own her garden, making jewelry, water yoga, boat rides, fishing, clay projects, and more.  On Friday evening, my good friend and Camp Good Days’ volunteer, Dolly Malik, provided an instructional session on mindfulness and relaxation techniques.  The program concluded with the very special Closing Ceremony, held in the beautiful Outdoor Chapel Area.  Sister Fran Quinn conducted the Closing Ceremony, as she always does, but my heart went out to her as she no longer has Father David Ambuske – her partner in these special Camp Good Days’ services.  We all miss Father Dave very much but I know that his spirit and memory will live on through the children and families at Camp Good Days.

On Saturday night, Wendy and I, along with her Dad, went to the Rochester Rhinos game and it was great to see them win for the second time in a week.  Hopefully they are back on a winning streak now!  If you are at a Rochester Rhinos game, you can visit us inside Gate D at the Quarters for Cancer table, or if you would like to help out with Quarters for Cancer, email Laura at losborn@campgooddays.org.  On Sunday, we went to see Wendy’s Grandma and celebrate her 95^th Birthday – what a milestone!

Our first full week of summer residential programs for children started this Monday.  We have a full program for Childhood USA I, which is for children ages 8-12 who have a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell anemia within the past three years, and/or is actively undergoing treatment.  Next week, we will welcome a second full group of campers for Childhood USA II, which is similar to this week’s program, but for children ages 13-17.  In the coming weeks we will welcome campers for the Doing A World Of Good Program and we are so excited that some of our friends from countries around the world, such as Mexico, the Bahamas, Ethiopia, Germany, Turks & Caicos, and Dominican Republic will be able to join us again this year and we look forward to meeting new campers and chaperones from the Czech Republic!  Special thanks to Dr. Lubos Barta, who served as a Judge for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and has been instrumental in helping to make it possible for some children dealing with cancer from the Czech Republic to be able to attend the Doing A World Of Good Program this summer.

We also have a number of special fundraising events coming up, all of which help us to continue providing our programs and services free of charge for the participants.  More than 200 people are registered to take part in the Just Clowning Around 5K, which is taking place this Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Mendon.  Be sure to follow the event on facebook and twitter, as the participants will each receive a clown wig to wear during the event and the photos are sure to be great!  In the coming weeks and months we will also be hosting a Bocce Bash, with Valenti Sports and PushYourself.com on Saturday, August 4, 2012; the Corey Coffey Golf Classic on Monday, August 20, 2012; the Friends of Ramon Santiago will host their golf tournament on Monday, August 27, 2012, from which proceeds benefit the Arts & Crafts area at Camp Good Days; and we will be bringing back the Tour de Teddi Bike Ride on Saturday, September 29, 2012.      For more information about any of our upcoming events, to learn how you can get involved as a participant, sponsor, supporter, or volunteer, check out our website, www.campgooddays.org and become our fan on facebook, www.facebook.com/CampGoodDays79. 

On the CANCER MISSION 2020 front, we are making progress in the plan for addressing cancer in Monroe County, where cancer is now the leading cause of death.  We will be meeting with the committee to review that plan on Monday, July 16, 2012 and we look forward to sharing the final plan with all of you very soon!  Don’t forget to check out www.cancermission2020.com, sign the petition, and share the site with your contacts.  It is a simple task that will only take a few moments of your time, but in the end, will make a world of difference!

A Quick Update...

Things have been happening so quickly here at Camp Good Days that I have not had as much of a chance to stay on top of my blog as I would like, but I did want to take a few minutes to fill you all in on some of the things going on.

We hosted what is always one of my favorite programs, the Young Adult Program, the weekend of June 15-17, 2012.  We had a great group of young adults who are dealing with cancer, and this year we expanded the program so that they could bring along a significant other or close friend.  Fortunately, it is very rare for someone between the ages of 18-39 to be initially diagnosed with cancer.  However, these young people often fall through the cracks in regards to programs and services available to them.  They are too old to fit in with the children’s programs, but yet too young to fit in with the older adults.  These young people face challenges and issues about their futures – education and careers – health insurance -  relationships – just like all young adults, however these young people have the cloud of cancer to deal with as well.  Through the Young Adult Program, these young men and women can meet and connect with others who are going through similar situations and who are within their own age range.  Those that attended the program had a fantastic time and I consider it a true blessing that I had the opportunity to spend some time with them.

Last week started with a trip to Buffalo for the Parent Information Meeting, for those who have children that will be attending our residential camping programs this summer.  It was ironic as we pulled into the parking lot at St. Philip’s Church to see so many people lined up to get into the meeting.  All I could think about was 33 years ago we had a press conference at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, to announce that we were starting Camp Good Days and would be offering residential camping experiences for children dealing with cancer.  The only people in attendance at that press conference were the Public Relations Assistant from Roswell, my daughter Teddi and I, and my friend Tom Gosdeck who is originally from Buffalo and made the trip with us, and Tom’s parents.  Boy…how things have changed!

During the Parent Information Meeting we shared some of the plans and changes for this summer.  When we were driving back to Rochester, I was thinking about how much has changed over these past 33 years.  When I started Camp Good Days, Jimmy Carter was President and no one talked about cancer.  Cancer was one of the most feared words in the English language and there were no programs or services available for children or families dealing with cancer.  Today, one of the things that I am most proud of is that no one dealing with the diagnosis of cancer, whether it be themselves or someone in their family, has to face that battle alone, unless they choose to do so. 

A few things manage to stay constant over the years though.  Our goal, here at Camp Good Days has stayed the same over these 33 years.  We strive to give those children, who through no fault of their own have been dealt a difficult hand in life, a wonderful experience and a chance to get back some of the childhood that has been robbed from them.  And we provide them the opportunity to create some good days and special times with the only others in the world who can truly understand what they are going through – other children going through the same thing.

Thanks to so many generous people and the success of our special fundraising events, we have also been able to keep the promise I made 33 years ago that no family would ever be faced with the decision between paying their bills on time and sending their loved one to Camp Good Days.  All of our programs are provided free of charge for the participants so as not to place any additional financial burden on those families served.  Today, so many families have both Mom and Dad working, but with the diagnosis of cancer, if the family is fortunate to have both Mom and Dad, one of them, and the majority of the time it will be Mom, has to cut back on their work hours to become the primary caregiver.  However, the mortgage or rent payments stay the same, the car payments stay the same, and the rest of the bills stay the same.  Oftentimes, families will have to dip into their savings or even be forced to claim bankruptcy. I never wanted Camp Good Days to be a source of anxiety for families who are already facing so many challenges and I am so pleased that here we are, having served 43,000 campers from 22 states and 27 foreign countries, and we have been able to keep that promise.

In preparation for what is shaping up to be another full summer with hundreds of campers experiencing the magic and spirit of Camp Good Days, we are in the midst of our Summer Staff Training Program.  I had the chance to spend last Tuesday at Camp and speak to the summer staff members.  I am so impressed with their energy and excitement about making this summer one of the best yet! 

Last Friday afternoon, we welcomed Joe Szafranski, his bother-in-law, Mike, and Joe’s daughter, Jasmine, as they made a stop for lunch at the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters in Mendon, as part of their Ride4Cancer2020.  Joe departed on the Second Annual Ride4Cancer2020 from Buffalo on Saturday, June 16, 2012 and traveled from Buffalo to Albany and back.  Joe was riding to honor and remember his nephew, Jimmy, and to generate awareness and funds to support Camp Good Days and CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE.  Joe, a Buffalo Police Officer and New York State National Guard Staff Sergeant, lost his 16 year old nephew to cancer in January 2011 and he is turning some of his pain and anger into action.  Last year Joe rode across the state to bring awareness to the importance of cancer research through Cancer Mission 2020 and raised $2,606 for Camp Good Days. Countless people also signed the Cancer Mission 2020 petition along the way.  It was great to see Joe, Mike, and Jasmine and we are all so grateful and appreciative of their continued support for the children and families at Camp Good Days and their efforts on behalf of CANCER MISSION 2020.  More information can be found at the Ride4Cancer2020 website, http://www.ride4cancer2020.com/, on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/Ride4Cancer, and on Twitter https://twitter.com/Ride4Cancer2020.

Saturday morning, Wendy and I were up early as my granddaughter, Delaney, graduated from Gananda Central Schools.  It was a very nice ceremony and Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle did a great job as the commencement speaker.  On Saturday evening, we headed to Buffalo for the Annual Creative Black Tie Gala at the Buffalo Hyatt.  This year’s theme was CAMP OLYMPUS and once again this year, Lisa Donato from our Buffalo Office and her staff and amazing group of volunteers did an outstanding job. I would like to extend our thanks to Rob Lederman, for serving as Master of Ceremonies again this year, and to all those who attended and generously supported the event.  I would also like to congratulate Angelo Veanes, who is an outstanding volunteer and Camp Good Days’ Board Member and was honored as the recipient of the Spirit of Teddi Humanitarian Award.  It was a fun evening and the guests were truly remarkable in their support and generosity, helping us to continue being able to provide programs and services for all those families across Western New York who need them.

This is another busy week.  Today, I had breakfast with my good friend, Charlie Craddock and later I will be going to Blue Heron Hills Golf Course for the Rich Funke, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, from which a portion of the proceeds benefit the children and families at Camp Good Days.  Tomorrow we begin our Junior Good Days’ Program, both in the Rochester area and the Syracuse area.  This special day-camp program is for our youngest campers, ages 4-7, who are still too little to attend residential camp.  I know that our staff and volunteers, here in Rochester, and the staff and volunteers in Syracuse have a fun-filled four days planned for the campers.

I am really looking forward to this Wednesday evening, when Camp Good Days will host, “Life, Cancer, and the NFL…An Evening with NY Giants’ Mark Herzlich”.  Mark has a remarkable story 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.

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.”

A small number of tickets are still available for this amazing event and can be purchased by calling the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters, 585-624-5555, or online at www.campgooddays.org.

It can be tough what we deal with here at Camp Good Days, and unfortunately this has hit very close to home these past few weeks.  So we ask that you please keep James, and all those battling this terrible disease, in your thoughts and prayers.

Until next time…wishing all of you a safe and happy Fourth of July!

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 29^th 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 17^th 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 33^rd 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.

Camp Good Days' Update

As I have said many times, there is no real quiet time here at Camp Good Days.  Things have been crazy since my last post, but I thought I should take a few minutes and catch everyone up.

I can’t thank enough all those who came to the Pittsford Town Board Meeting on May 1, 2012 as I was presented with the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award.  It was a complete surprise when I received the call from Pittsford Town Supervisor, Bill Carpenter, to let me know that I had been selected for this very special honor and to hear that my childhood friend, Bob Michaels, had nominated me.  I headed to the Pittsford Library that evening, expecting a short presentation and a couple of close friends to be there.  I was truly overwhelmed by the number of people who took the time out of their evening, for a presentation that was not part of an event or dinner, to come and show their support.  It meant so much to me and the chance to see so many friends, some of whom I have not seen in many years, was something I won’t soon forget.  My gratitude and thanks go to Supervisor Bill Carpenter, the Pittsford Town Board, and all those who attended that evening. 

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, Camp Good Days hosted our 12^th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Auction Dinner at the Rochester Plaza Hotel.  The event was a sellout again this year, and event Chairman, Peter Parts, along with Ron Dougherty, David Male, Jayne Van Zile, Val Migliore, and the entire organizing committee did another outstanding job.  Matthew Chung, who again served as our Auctioneer and my good friend, Rich Funke, who served as our Master of Ceremonies, both did their part in making the evening special for all the attendees.  The people at the Rochester Plaza could not have been more accommodating.  Special thanks go out to Scott Greene, Head Football Coach at the University of Rochester and his players who came to our office in Mendon that Friday to help us move all of the wine to the Rochester Plaza; Athletic Director, Anthony Bianchi and all of the student athletes from the Aquinas Institute of Rochester who helped to set everything up on Saturday morning and afternoon; and to the Victor Football players and Booster Club, who spent Saturday evening helping to get all of the wine and auction items to the winning bidders.  An event of this magnitude would not be possible without all of their help and support!  The highlight of the evening came when Katie Bess, who was a camper here at Camp Good Days and now serves as a volunteer, spoke about her battle with cancer and what being a part of the Camp Good Days’ family has meant to her and the impact we have had on her life.  Following Katie’s remarks, more than 95 people stood up to be counted in the Camper Call.  It was unbelievable to see person after person after person stand up and pledge their support.  We do not yet have all of the final figures, but I am confident that this event was another resounding success and that we have reached our goals.

Last Wednesday afternoon, we had the second of three meetings for the committee that has been assembled by Dr. Byron Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Monroe County Health Department and I, in regards to the plan we are developing to address cancer in Monroe County, where cancer is the leading cause of death.  We had another great meeting and it is truly exciting to have some great people at the table who are willing to lend their ideas, support and hard work to put this plan into place.  We will be presenting the plan to County Executive, Maggie Brooks this summer and once it is final, we will make that plan available on our CANCER MISSION 2020 website, http://www.cancermission2020.com/.  If you have not yet checked out the website or have not checked back recently, please do so.  On the site not only can you sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition, lending your support to our efforts, but you can see the CANCER MISSION 2020 Legislation, HR 5283, which has been introduced into Congress by Congressman Tom Reed.  And again, I ask you to share this site and the petition with your contacts so that we can continue our progress forward in putting an end to cancer by the end of the decade!

On Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, 2012, we officially kicked off our 33^rd summer at Camp Good Days.  We hosted a group of young people from the Teen Empowerment and Pathways to Peace programs for a special overnight.  We had some beautiful weather and I think the participants had a good two days, as I had the chance to speak to group and also to listen in on some of the workshops they attended.  Overall it was a good weekend and the Recreational Facility looks great! 

This past Friday, May 18, 2012, we held the first Project T.I.P.S. event for the 2012 season.  By all accounts this was a great kick off for the season.  Project T.I.P.S. stands for Trust, Information, Programs & Services, and includes community agencies and law enforcement personnel working in selected neighborhoods to rebuild trust amongst residents and share information.  From 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, groups including one Police Officer, one Fire Fighter, and two volunteers, visit residents within the neighborhood to create conversations about quality of life issues, as well as to obtain information about the crime and violence that has plagued the neighborhood, in an anonymous format for residents.  The groups also provide residents with information and contacts they can use regarding services that range from health care issues (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) to reporting information for things such as crime, vandalism, and fire.  Project T.I.P.S. continues from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a community cookout and get together where residents can come and obtain more information from service providers and law enforcement agencies, as well as have some food and beverages, and have the opportunity to visit with their neighbors that they know and meet some neighbors they may not know.  Since its inception in the summer of 2008, Project T.I.P.S. has quickly evolved into a community-wide effort with support and participation from our Partners Against Violence Everywhere (PAVE) Initiative and Project Exile Advisory Board, as well as the Rochester Police Department, Rochester Fire Department, City of Rochester Recreation Department, New York State Police, New York State Parole, Pathways to Peace, Monroe County Probation, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County Department of Human Services, Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, Rise Up Rochester, and numerous other law enforcement and community agencies.

Jones Park was an ideal location, we had a great turnout of community residents and most importantly, the children from the area had the chance to get something to eat, ride the horses, see the different demos and displays, and have a safe and fun afternoon.  I think I speak on behalf of all the participating agencies when I say we are looking forward to the upcoming Project T.I.P.S. events planned for this summer. 

On Friday evening, Wendy and I headed to Sahlen’s Stadium to take her Dad to the Rochester Rhinos’ game, during which they tied the Dayton Dutch Lions.  We are so thankful to have been given the opportunity, again this season, to have the Camp Good Days’ Quarters for Cancer promotion at each of the soccer games held at Sahlen’s Stadium.  Quarters for Cancer includes staff and volunteers collecting donations as attendees come into the stadium and we have an informational table set up just inside Gate D.  We are still looking for volunteers to help at the games and if you are interested, please contact Laura Osborn at 585-624-5555 or losborn@campgooddays.org and she will be happy to send you the game schedule and get you signed up!

On Saturday morning, Wendy and I were up bright and early and headed to Camp, as we also had our first session of the Women’s Oncology Program, the Women’s Arts & Crafts Program, taking place this past Friday – Sunday.  It was so nice that all of the women who registered for the program were actually able to attend.  I had the chance to observe the various activities and speak with some of the participants who were all having a good time.  I also had the chance to meet with some visitors from the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa, who flew up to New York to visit Camp Good Days.  I met these folks last month during the Annual Florida Fun Fest and we are all excited to be working together on plans to have some of the children they serve attend our programs here at Camp Good Days and they have also lent their support and are assisting us in the efforts for CANCER MISSION 2020. 

On Sunday I took care of some personal things at home and come Monday morning, Wendy and I were back on the road to Camp.  We met with some visitors from the Harlem Boys & Girls Club and discussed some ways in which we might be able to collaborate, by having some of their participants who would qualify, attend some of our camping programs, as well as arranging for a special trip for some of our campers to visit the New York City area.  We also went with them to view some land they have had donated, located outside of Bath, New York and gave them some ideas and suggestions as to how they best might develop that land. 

We made it back to Rochester in time to head to Frontier Field for the Rochester Red Wings game.  It was the Rochester / Monroe County Youth Board’s Bullying Prevention Night at the game.  Wendy is the President of the Board for the Rochester / Monroe County Youth Board and she had to attend and I wanted to lend my support. 

This morning I had breakfast with an old friend and longtime Camp Good Days’ supporter, Jim Capellupo.  I spent a couple hours in the office and then went to NEWS10NBC to tape an interview about CANCER MISSION 2020 with Ray Levato for the Rochester In Focus show.  Later this afternoon we met with Jay and Jay Jay Vanderstyne from Vanderstyne Toyota to finalize details and logistics for the 2012 Camp Good Days’ Car Raffle.  We are beyond grateful that because of the generosity of the Vanderstynes and Toyota Motors we will be able to conduct a raffle again this year.  Tickets will be available very soon so check out our website, www.campgooddays.org for more details! 

This evening we have a Training Session for returning volunteers in the Rochester area and we are looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing our plans and goals for the summer camping programs.  There is also an Open Cup series game for the Rochester Rhinos so the Quarters for Cancer table will be set up at Sahlen’s Stadium. 

Tomorrow morning we have our weekly Staff Meeting and a meeting of our Tournament of Love Committee and then I personally am looking forward to heading to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center for the Rochester Press Radio Club’s Day of Champions Dinner, where I will be receiving the Major Donald Holleder Award.  I say I am receiving this award, but truly I am accepting it on behalf of the thousands of people who have been involved with Camp Good Days, supported our many efforts, and helped to keep Teddi’s memory and legacy alive, because it is all of them who have helped to make all that we have accomplished possible – as I say often – I am just the pretty face! 

As you can see, it’s very busy.  I am exhausted already and it’s only Tuesday!  Wishing all of you a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

A Memorable Florida Fun Fest

Of all the things that I get to do, one that never loses its enjoyment is the Annual Florida Fun Fest trip that we take each year with some of our campers.  Having just returned last night, I can say that this year was another memorable trip.  We did things a little bit differently this year, as in the past we have taken the trip around Election Day or just after the holidays in January, but this year we were in Central Florida from April 25^th – 30^th.  In past years, we have spent the majority of time in the Orlando area, but this time we flew into Tampa and spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Tampa and St. Petersburg.  We stayed at the Tradewinds Island Resort and the weather was absolutely beautiful and the campers had the opportunity to spend some time on the beach and in the Gulf of Mexico, which is something that they won’t soon forget. 

On Wednesday evening, we were the special guests of Steve & Patty DiGennaro and some of their neighbors for a cookout dinner.  They are true friends and such wonderful supporters of the children and families at Camp Good Days and once again their hospitality and kindness was above and beyond any expectations.  Following dinner, we all headed to Tropicana Field to watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Anaheim Angels, which was a great experience, as it was the first time that many of the campers had the chance to attend a Major League Baseball game.

On Thursday morning, we all got on a boat and did a Dolphin Watch Boat Tour.  Again, it was a beautiful day and I am so pleased that we all got the chance to see a number of dolphins.  On Thursday afternoon I had the chance to meet with some people from the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa and we had a great discussion about some ways in which we can collaborate on providing some unique experiences for the children and families we all serve.  I also shared CANCER MISSION 2020 with them and I am so pleased that they are interested in helping and supporting us in those efforts.

Later that day was extra special for me because while the campers and volunteers played on the beach and in the Gulf, I had the chance to see an old and dear friend, Dr. Martin Klemperer.  Dr. Klemperer is someone who was instrumental in helping me to start Camp Good Days and over the years has helped me to keep my daughter Teddi’s dream and spirit alive.

I will always remember the first meeting we ever had in regards to starting Camp Good Days, which was held at the Rochester Academy for Medicine on East Avenue, and attended by more than 100 people.  I had invited Dr. Royer to speak at the meeting, as he was the doctor who started a similar program in Michigan and I had seen a story on The Today Show about his camp, which was what started me on this journey.  After the meeting, I felt like I was on top of the mountain, but as I was taking Dr. Royer to the airport for his return trip to Kalamazoo, he said we had a great turnout at the meeting and he was confident that we would be able to raise the necessary funds, recruit the volunteers, and we certainly had the children that would benefit, but that he thought we might have difficulty in finding a doctor that would be willing to commit the time that would be necessary, especially if it was not their idea.  The three other programs that had been established prior to Camp Good Days were all started by doctors.  I went from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley because although I knew there were many things that I could do, I was not a doctor.  Shortly thereafter, Dr. Klemperer came into my life and as they say, the rest is history.  Dr. Klemperer was always there for me in the early years and even after he moved from working at the University of Rochester Medical Center to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and later to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, he continued to come back to Camp Good Days each summer, with his wife, Helen, at their own expense, to serve as our Camp Doctor.  Dr. Klemperer is 81 years old now, dealing with some of his own health challenges, and unable to make it to Camp Good Days each summer, but it was such a pleasure and so nice to have had the opportunity to see this very special angel to the children of Camp Good Days and to spend some time with him, catching up, reminiscing, and sharing some of the good times we had together.

On Friday morning, we checked out of the Tradewinds and headed to Busch Gardens for the day.  Later, we went for dinner and I had the chance to catch up and spend some time with two old friends.  Joan Bell, whose husband, Theo, played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a great friend and supporter who passed away a few years ago at much too young an age, met us for dinner, as did Dr. Cameron Tebbi who I have known for 33 years. 

When Dr. Tebbi and I first met, Camp Good Days was just beginning and he was the chief of the Adolescent Oncology Unit at Roswell Park Cancer Center.  He left Roswell to become the Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Research Laboratories at

St. Joseph’s Children's Hospital in Tampa, and now serves as a Professor of Pediatrics and Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of South Florida in Tampa.  Over the years when we have taken our Annual Florida Fun Fest trip and ever needed medical support, Dr. Tebbi has always been there for us.  He is an amazing doctor and person, who holds several patents and has spent 41 years studying, researching, and treating those with leukemia.  Currently, Dr. Tebbi is working to secure much needed funding, as he feels that we will be able to predict, in babies, a future diagnosis of leukemia, and ultimately develop a vaccine for leukemia.  He is someone who has truly devoted his life and work to finding the answers to cancer and he too supports and wants to help us in the efforts of CANCER MISSION 2020. 

On the topic of CANCER MISSION 2020, I got some great news while I was out of town last week that legislation has been completed and will be introduced by Congressman Tom Reed.  This legislation is a result of the CANCER MISSION 2020 Congressional District Cancer Summits that were held last August in the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse areas.  We are also moving ahead with development of the plan to address cancer in Monroe County, where cancer is now the leading cause of death.  Our first of three, small, working meetings – this one focused on prevention – is being held tomorrow afternoon.  I am excited that we are moving forward with this important initiative and I look forward to sharing more about these meetings and the plan, in the weeks to come. 

Another one of the highlights for me during our trip was having Tamara Kerbs join us.  Tamara has faced her own battle with cancer and became part of the Camp Good Days’ family when she attended our Junior Good Days’ Program in Rochester.  She later attended the Teddi’s Team / Doing A World Of Good residential camping programs, and served as a member of our Summer Staff.  Tamara completed her undergraduate work at Binghamton University and now lives in Central Florida, where she just completed her Master’s Degree and as soon as she passes her boards, Tamara will be Nurse Practitioner.  Tamara spent a few days with us during the trip, volunteering her time to help Michelle Roach, our Medical Director and I am so proud of her and the beautiful young lady she has become! 

On Friday evening, we made the bus trip from Tampa to Orlando and checked into the Seralago Suites.  On Saturday, we all headed to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, where we are always treated like special VIP guests.  The staff there goes out of their way to greet our campers and provide them with a fantastic and fun-filled day in their theme parks.  On Sunday, my good friends, John and Linda Mongoven, along with some of their friends and neighbors in the Hunter’s Creek Community, hosted our group for a picnic and had Chief Rowley entertain and educate the group with his amazing Snake Show.  We all then headed to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for the rest of the afternoon and evening. 

On Monday, we checked out of the Seralago and headed to the airport for the trip back home to Upstate New York.  I know that this trip will be one that the campers and the volunteers will remember for the rest of their lives and for me, I was like the proud Grandfather, watching the campers, volunteers and staff all have a great time, interacting, bonding and making some great memories together, and I am so pleased that Camp Good Days is able to make this experience possible.  Of course this trip would not be possible without the amazing support of some special people. 

This trip has taken place since 1985 and was originated when Rochester businessman, Wayne Meisenzahl, who was completing his own treatment for cancer, wanted to give children touched by cancer the opportunity to experience firsthand, the magic of Central Florida.  The Annual Florida Trip has continued because of the generosity of Ms. Germaine K. Hess, one of Meisenzahl’s clients, who left a bequest to Camp Good Days, through an estate, specifically to ensure that Camp Good Days will be able to continue providing the trip. 

In addition, the trip is made possible through the Teddi Project at Camp Good Days.  The Teddi Project is supported through the annual Dance for Love, a 24-hour dance marathon at St. John Fisher College.  The 30^th Annual Dance for Love took place this past February 17-18, 2012.  The trip is also supported through the Sugarman Smiles Fund, which was established at Camp Good Days by local businessman, Gary Sugarman, and is a wish-fulfillment program for those dealing with cancer, over age 18; as well as the Gary Amendola Fun Fund, which was established in memory of Gary Amendola, who was a good friend, supporter and member of the Camp Good Days’ Board of Directors and lost his own battle with cancer.  The Gary Amendola Fun Fund provides the means for Camp Good Days to host special outings, activities and events throughout the year.

I am now back in the office and that is all the time there is for reflection because it is really busy as we put all of the final details into place for the Wine Auction Dinner, which takes place this Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel.  Over the past 12 years, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner has become the largest fundraising event, in the Rochester area, to benefit the children and families at Camp Good Days and I know that because of the hard work and dedication of the committee members, this year is sure to be another great success! 

While going through the items in my office this morning, I was so pleased to see the Exceptional Citizen Award, which was given to me by Shannon McVeigh and the Rochester Elks Lodge #24.  I am sorry that I could not personally accept the award, as I was out of town for the Florida Fun Fest trip, but I greatly appreciate the honor.  Tonight, I will be receiving the Town of Pittsford’s Citizen of the Year Award and I am truly humbled and honored to have been nominated and selected for this award.

Right now, I am drained, both physically and emotionally, but it was a wonderful trip and I feel so blessed to be recognized and honored for what we are doing here at Camp Good Days, but as I always say – I am just the pretty face!  It is the amazing staff members and the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who make it possible for us to continue providing the good days and special times to the many children and families who need them!

Crunch Time at Camp Good Days

We are into crunch time here at Camp Good Days, as we are not only in the process of preparing the Recreational Facility for all of the summer camping programs and obtaining all of the permits in order to operate our programs, but we also have several special fundraising events coming up.

As I think most of you know, when I started Camp Good Days 33 years ago, it was very important to me that no family would be faced with the decision between sending their loved one to Camp Good Days and paying their bills, as oftentimes with the diagnosis of cancer one member of the family must put their career on hold to become the primary caregiver and while the family income decreases, the expenses remain the same. Therefore, I made a promise that all of our programs and services would be provided free of charge. As Camp Good Days has grown over the years and the number of programs we offer has expanded, the pressure to continually generate enough revenue to be able to keep my promise has also increased.

However, I am so pleased that due to the overwhelming generosity of so many individuals, businesses and organizations, along with the success of our special fundraising events, we are able to keep my promise and offer our programs free of charge for the many children, adults and families who need us.

Our special events are vital and the options are endless…whether you love to dance, love wine, can’t wait to get out on the golf course, or are in need of a perfect gift for someone!

This weekend, the students at Ithaca College will host their second Annual Dance for Courage, kicking off on Friday night at 8:00 PM. We wish the very best to the dancers, volunteers, and all those who have helped to make this event possible and extend our gratitude for their help and support.

Over the past 12 years, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Wine Auction Dinner has become the largest fundraising event in the Greater Rochester area to benefit the children and families we serve. The 12th Annual Wine Auction Dinner will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel, 70 State Street, Downtown Rochester. This exciting evening will begin with a Wine Tasting, Silent Auction & Live Auction Preview at 5:30 PM, and the Auction Dinner at 7:00 PM. Once again this year, Matthew Chung will serve as the Lead Auctioneer and Rich Funke, Anchor with NEWS10NBC will be our Master of Ceremonies.

The 12th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, which was held March 24 & 25, 2012, was a resounding success. More than 3200 wines were entered into the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. These entries came from 788 wineries, including 109 New York State Wineries, from 22 different countries around the world, all 50 states and five Canadian Provinces.

All of the wines were evaluated by a world-renowned panel of judges representing distributors, educators, enologists, sommeliers, restaurateurs, winemakers and writers from all over the United States and around the world. The judges awarded Double Gold (unanimous), Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and the medal winning wines will be featured at the Wine Auction Dinner, along with a delicious meal, great friends and conversation, and fabulous silent and live auction items.

Tickets to attend the Wine Auction Dinner are $150.00 per person and can be purchased by calling Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or online via www.fliwc.com or www.campgooddays.org.

If you love wine, this is the event you want to attend. Tickets would also make a fantastic gift for that special someone. In addition to having a wonderful time and tasting some of the best wine in the world, you will leave that evening knowing that you have helped to create some good days and special times for some very special children and families.

In addition to the Wine Auction Dinner, we will host the 29th Annual Tournament of Love Golf Tournament on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at Monroe Golf Club, one of the premier clubs in the Rochester area. Super Bowl Champions New York Giants’ Mark Herzlich will be the Special Guest and serving as Chairpersons are Paul and Kirsten Estabrooks of Victor.

There are a few remaining Sponsorship, Advertising, and Participation options available for the 29th Annual Tournament of Love and more information is available by contacting Nicole Jones at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or njones@campgooddays.org, or online at www.campgooddays.org.

In the Western New York area, the 11th Annual Camp Good Days’ Gala, will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. This year's creative black-tie gala theme is: Camp Olympus - Where Campers Are Heroes! We invite you to join us for an elegant evening of food, music, entertainment and auctions. This event has sold out five years in a row, so get your tickets fast! To obtain more information about the event or to purchase tickets, check out www.campgooddaysgala.com or contact our Buffalo Office at 716-206-0709.

We are also gearing up for the 2012 Project T.I.P.S. events. Project T.I.P.S. stands for Trust, Information, Programs & Services, and includes community agencies and law enforcement personnel working in selected neighborhoods to rebuild trust amongst residents and share information. Groups, including one Police Officer, one Fire Fighter, and two volunteers, visit residents within the neighborhood to create conversations about quality of life issues, as well as to obtain information about the crime and violence that has plagued the neighborhood, in an anonymous format for residents. The groups also provide residents with information and contacts they can use regarding services that range from health care issues (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) to reporting information for things such as crime, vandalism, and fire.

Project T.I.P.S. continues with a community cookout and get together, where residents can come and obtain more information from service providers and law enforcement agencies, as well as have some food and beverages, and have the opportunity to visit with their neighbors that they know and meet some neighbors they may not know.

The Inaugural Project T.I.P.S. was held in August 2008 in the Dewey and Driving Park community. Since that time, Project T.I.P.S. was brought to the Dayton Street neighborhood on February, 20, 2009, following the shooting of Rochester Police Department Officer, Anthony DiPonzio. Project T.I.P.S. has also been held on April 16, 2009 in the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood, July 24, 2009 in the Conkey Avenue neighborhood; Friday, October 9, 2009 in the Hudson Avenue neighborhood; Friday, May 7, 2010 in the Lyell Avenue neighborhood; and Friday, June 25, 2010 in the Scio Street & Ontario Street neighborhood. Four Project T.I.P.S. events were held in 2011, including: Friday, May 20, 2011 in the Scio & Ontario neighborhood; Friday, June 17, 2011 in the Conkey & Clifford neighborhood; Friday, July 22, 2011 in the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood; and Friday, September 9, 2011 at Jones Park.

Following a similar plan to last year, it was decided that we will host two Project T.I.P.S. events at locations we have visited previously, and hold two events at new locations. The first Project T.I.P.S. event for 2012 is scheduled for Friday, May 18, 2012 at Jones Park.

In regards to the on-going efforts of CANCER MISSION 2020, as a result of the meeting that was held on February 28, 2012, it was determined that a small, working committee should be formed and tasked with the objective of developing a plan for addressing cancer in Monroe County. We had our first meeting of this small committee Wednesday afternoon. The goal of this committee is to create this plan and have it ready to be presented to County Executive Maggie Brooks early this summer. The plan will focus on three key areas: Prevention; Education & Research, in terms of sharing information about where we are now in the fight against cancer and about how people can become active advocates for making finding the answers to cancer a priority, and utilizing CANCER MISSION 2020 as a means for bringing cancer to the front burner and encouraging people to visit the website, sign the petition and share the information; and Support for those who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. We have a great group of people working on this committee, with some fantastic synergy and we are all looking forward to our upcoming meetings and to the opportunity we have been given to develop a plan that can serve as a model for other communities across New York State and around the country.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Tom Reed last week to discuss the CANCER MISSION 2020 legislation that he will be introducing and am looking forward to sharing more about that soon.

PLEASE…if you have not yet done so, check out www.cancermission2020.com, learn the facts about where we stand in the fight against cancer and if you feel the way that we do, sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition and share the site with your network of contacts. There is strength in numbers and we need everyone’s support!

For me personally, one of the most special things we do during the year is our Annual Florida Fun Fest, in which we take a group of campers to experience the magic and adventure of Central Florida. We have been taking this trip since 1985 and this year, we are taking the trip a bit later than usual, but we have a fun and exciting long weekend planned for the campers who will be attending. The group will fly into Tampa and spend a couple of days there and then head over to Orlando for a couple of days. While in Central Florida, the group will have the opportunity to visit Busch Gardens, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Even though we are in 2012 and it may seem hard to believe, it is always so special to see someone who is taking their first flight on an airplane or visiting one of the theme parks for the very first time.

As you can tell by reading this, there is a lot going on! It is amazing to realize how much we accomplish and it truly starts with the many, many volunteers who give so much of their time and love to help us and a small, but great staff here at Camp Good Days. We could not accomplish all that we do, without all of them!

On the topic of volunteers…there is still time to get your Volunteer Application completed and submitted for the summer programs. Volunteer Applications for the summer programs are available online at our website, www.campgooddays.org, or by calling 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.

Registration Forms for all of our programs are also available and complete program information and online registration can be found on our website, www.campgooddays.org. To obtain a hard copy of the program brochures and registration forms, please contact our Headquarters at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.

Help us give some good days and special times to someone you know who is dealing with cancer…share our program information or become a volunteer!

There are many ways for you to keep up-to-date with everything we have going on…

Check out our website, www.campgooddays.org

Become our fan on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/CampGoodDays79 / www.facebook.com/CancerMission2020

Follow us on Twitter:

@CampGoodDays / @EndCancer2020

Tune in to the Camp Good Days’ Monthly Radio Show:

First Thursday of every month

WYSL 1040AM & 92.1FM – Miss the show?

Get the Podcast at www.wysl1040.com.

That’s all for now…hope you all have a great weekend!