25 Years of Happiness, Hope and Healing - Camp Sunshine
25 Years of Happiness, Hope and Healing - Camp Sunshine
25 Years of Happiness, Hope and Healing - Camp Sunshine
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A Message from the Founders<br />
Anna M. Gould<br />
Lawrence Gould<br />
With great<br />
awe, we<br />
reflect in<br />
celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>Camp</strong><br />
<strong>Sunshine</strong>’s <strong>25</strong> years.<br />
It is amazing to realize<br />
that what was<br />
planned for a onetime<br />
session, would<br />
end up being an<br />
amazing year-round<br />
program. Like<br />
parents, we have<br />
wondered, nurtured,<br />
been worried, been<br />
proud, <strong>and</strong> watched<br />
so many changes<br />
take hold. The<br />
matured results <strong>of</strong><br />
this camp <strong>and</strong> all its<br />
programs are a true<br />
testament to the need <strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong><br />
fulfills.<br />
<strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong> was destined to be the<br />
model for a family program. From<br />
inception, the response to a family<br />
program was overwhelming. The family,<br />
the volunteer, the medical <strong>and</strong> the<br />
psychosocial components, are truly the<br />
greatest <strong>and</strong> most lasting strengths <strong>of</strong> the<br />
program. Keeping the family unit whole,<br />
while addressing the traumatic impact <strong>of</strong><br />
illness on a child, is a daunting task for<br />
anyone. <strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong> was designed to<br />
TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
Executive Director’s Message ................................................5<br />
One Family’s Journey..........................................................6-7<br />
<strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Directors.......................................9<br />
<strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong>’s <strong>25</strong>-Year Timeline..................................10-13<br />
Psychosocial Director’s Message............................................14<br />
Medical Director’s Message..................................................15<br />
<strong>Camp</strong>us Director’s Message...................................................16<br />
15-<strong>25</strong>-Year Volunteers............................................................17<br />
Quarter Century Club............................................................18<br />
New Balance Foundation $<strong>25</strong>0,000 Challenge........................19<br />
Experiencing Pure Joy at <strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong>..............................20<br />
Message from Governor John Baldacci.................................22<br />
Awards & Recognition ....................................................24-<strong>25</strong><br />
provide a much needed respite<br />
to all family members. Having<br />
watched thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> families<br />
over the years come through<br />
<strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong>’s doors, we<br />
are still amazed at the positive<br />
<strong>and</strong> restorative effects the camp<br />
program has on families when<br />
we first meet them <strong>and</strong> in their<br />
subsequent visits to <strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong>.<br />
The time they have to<br />
talk to other parents who have<br />
a child suffering from the same<br />
illness, as well as the discussion<br />
groups, help to give the parents<br />
strength to return to continue<br />
to meet the challenges at home.<br />
The volunteer force is truly a<br />
remarkable portrait <strong>of</strong> the best<br />
<strong>of</strong> humanity. Volunteers come<br />
from far away <strong>and</strong> next door.<br />
The diverse group <strong>of</strong> volunteers<br />
consists <strong>of</strong> dedicated<br />
teenagers to accomplished<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>parents, but what they all<br />
share is their love <strong>and</strong> desire to<br />
help others. They in turn go<br />
home with a full heart, knowing<br />
they received far more than<br />
what they gave.<br />
As we reflect on the past <strong>25</strong><br />
years, we feel honored to have<br />
been given the unique opportu-<br />
nity to encounter so many truly<br />
amazing people: the children,<br />
with their smiles <strong>and</strong> resilience to<br />
overcome their illness; the parents,<br />
who stay steadfast in protecting<br />
their children; the volunteers,<br />
who come by the hundreds<br />
to give <strong>of</strong> themselves for others;<br />
<strong>and</strong> the staff that is dedicated in<br />
providing an unforgettable experience<br />
for the families. It has<br />
been an honor to have shared so<br />
many special moments with so<br />
many wonderful individuals.<br />
It is with admiration for the<br />
families that we are committed<br />
to ensuring that <strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong><br />
will always be the beacon <strong>of</strong><br />
hope <strong>and</strong> happiness to those that<br />
walk through “the magical three<br />
doors”. We hope you will also<br />
continue to support this muchneeded<br />
oasis.<br />
Thank you all for giving us the<br />
treasured memories <strong>of</strong> the past<br />
<strong>25</strong> years; these are wondrous moments<br />
that will be with us for the<br />
next <strong>25</strong> years <strong>and</strong> always.<br />
Anna M. Gould<br />
Lawrence Gould<br />
Founders<br />
A Family Gives Back.................................................26-27<br />
Referring Treatment Centers...........................................28<br />
Message from Senator Susan Collins..............................30<br />
Donor Testimonials........................................................31<br />
Message from Senator Olympia Snowe...........................32<br />
Charity Navigator Rating...............................................33<br />
A Journey <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hope</strong>........................................................34<br />
<strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong> at Sebago Lake, Inc.<br />
35 Acadia Road, Casco, Maine 04015<br />
Tel (207) 655-3800 Fax (207) 655-38<strong>25</strong><br />
info@campsunshine.org www.campsunshine.org<br />
2 5 Ye a r s o f H a p p i n e s s, H o p e a n d H e a l i n g<br />
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