Camp Happy Days 2014-2015 Annual Report
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Camp Happy Days 2014-2015 Annual Report Camp Happy Days Fiscal Year October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015 A Word from our Board Chairman Greetings from the Board of Directors! It is such a pleasure to be writing to you as the new President of the Board of Directors. I have the distinct honor of writing a few words about our outgoing President, Morgan Herterich, a real hero in the eyes of our organization. Thankfully, Morgan has agreed to continue to serve Camp Happy Days as an Immediate Past President member of our board. As many of you know, Camp Happy Days has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years. You will find, in the pages of this report, evidence that we are in a new and exciting position to serve children battling cancer throughout our state. Many of our accomplishments can be credited to Morgan and the hard-working board and key staff members that he carefully curated. Having a keen awareness of the needs of the organization, Morgan built a board with expertise in fundraising, marketing, law, medicine, and other key areas that would prove to be ideal for the organization at the time. He also led us through the hiring of Cindy Hay Johnson, our Executive Director of two very successful years. With the key players in line, Morgan captained the organization’s board through the two most successful years in recent history. This year, we reached a new milestone for our fundraising: we exceeded the million-dollar mark with our annual giving program. This is a huge accomplishment that has put us on a path of careful strategic planning for the future. Our success this year is exciting, and we are working on a strategy to maintain the positive energy and record breaking fundraising. So it is with great excitement that I take the helm with this wonderful board and thank Morgan for his service and his continued commitment to the Camp Happy Days Board. And it is with great appreciation and a humble THANK YOU that I recognize you, our donors, with this exciting and optimistic annual report. Thank you and may we continue to serve the needs of children battling a cancer diagnosis and their families with all that we do at Camp Happy Days. Best, Courtney Brady President, Board of Directors Camp Happy Days Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2014 - Sept. 30, 2015 A Word from the Executive Director Dear Camp Happy Days Community, Thank you so much for your truly inspiring support and generosity. Through your donations we have been able to help more children and families than ever before. We have expanded our programs to offer resources and financial assistance to so many more families than we have in the past and this has helped them to focus more on their child battling cancer and their families. You cannot believe the difference this makes to each of these families. Because of your support, we are able to offer Family Weekend again after a five year absence. This will take place over the weekend of April 1 – 3, 2016 at Bonclarken Conference Center in Flatrock, NC. This retreat will give families a chance to bond, enjoy time and fun together and learn about important ways to keep themselves strong, connected, and healthy. Topics about how to find resources for their child and family and how to navigate the hospital system will be covered and this is always needed! Plus we will have a few great surprises as well! Families—we hope to see you there! Last year at Camp we had 223 campers. The theme was “Seize the Moment” and believe me they did! It was a wonderful week for everyone. This year at camp we are expecting 250 campers and 200 volunteers! The date is July 2 through July 9 and it will be full of mind blowing fun and activities! The Camp Planning Committee has been working diligently on plans to make this camp really special. We have also been extremely fortunate to bring on Amanda Venable, who is the new Programs Director. She will be leading Programs and will be the Family Weekend and Camp Director. Last year was her first year at Camp and she is excited about this year’s plans. We are fortunate to have Teresa Bishop still at Camp Happy Days and her new title is Director of Family and Outreach Services. She will be working closely with families, medical staff and volunteers here in Charleston and around the state. As you can see it has been a year of opportunities and growth and we could not do this without each of you – giving generously through donations and your time! Here is how your support made a difference: We helped 237 families who are dealing with a child with cancer and 1451 individuals. We helped 50 families with financial assistance. We paid over $9,626.52 worth of utility, gas, food and rent for these families with a child diagnosed with cancer. Over 185 volunteers gave over 31,080 hours of their time to help run Camp 2015 “Seize the Moment.” 223 children with cancer and their siblings benefited from seven fun filled days at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton, SC. We provided 2 children battling cancer with Dream Dates to offer hope, support and love during their battles with cancer. We worked with their families to give them the social and emotional support they needed during this tough time. We held Doodlebug events and activities for 61 families. Served 140 families including 280 and parents at MUSC’s FACT Clinic We served 74 pre-teens and teens in our Extreme Teen and Pre-Teen Program with lock-ins and weekend events. 65 Angel Sponsors and numerous Holiday Giving Donors provided over $26,000 in gifts for 172 children and their families. We had 70 families and 175 family members attend the Holiday Parade and Dinner at California Dreaming. 33 families and 144 families and volunteers attended Family Reunion to bond and share their experiences while enjoying a wonderful time at Charles Towne Landing with food cooked by Jamie Westendorff. Served 180 families at MUSC’s Check Up Program. We served 84 families at our Family Events throughout the year including sporting events, family days and the Aquarium. As we look toward the future, with your help and support we know that we will be able to provide the hope and endless possibilities that our children and families need as they face another year of uncertainty in their battle against cancer. Thank you so very much. We truly appreciate all you do. Warm regards, Cindy Hay Johnson Camp Happy Days Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2014 - Sept. 30, 2015 Camp Happy Days’ Team Camp Happy Days’ mission is to offer support and encouragement to children diagnosed with cancer and their families by providing cost free year-round programs, special events and access to crisis resources. Our goal is to improve the physical, emotional and psychological health of the entire family facing pediatric cancer. Staff Cindy Hay Johnson, Executive Director Teresa Bishop, Family and Outreach Services Director Amanda Venable, Programs Director Elizabeth Clark, Development and Volunteer Coordinator Lisa McDonald, Finance Director Board of Directors 2013-2014 Morgan Herterich, Chairman Dru Dubois Arthur Pelzer, Esq., Vice Chairman Madelene Lewis, M.D. Stanislava Fowler, CPA, Treasurer Alice LoGuidice, MSN, APRN, CPNP James H. Westendorff, Secretary Chip Roberts Franklin F. Adams Preston Stone, M.D. Courtney Brady Gregory Taylor Camp Happy Days Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2014 - Sept. 30, 2015 Programs Camp Happy Days July 2—July 9, 2016 The week-long, flagship event is for children diagnosed with cancer and their siblings, ages 4-16. This powerful, life changing experience helps these children build self-esteem, courage, confidence and trust in an incredibly active, high energy environment created just for them. Doodlebug Program Outings designed for our families with kids age 9 and under. During this time, parents and children engage in fun activities with volunteers and summer camp counselors to build those relationships. Dream Dates A very special, customized day or night created to make dreams come true for children struggling with their cancer treatments or are celebrating the end of treatment. The activities are geared toward the child’s interest. Family Assistance In the first five years of diagnosis or after relapse, the family has access to financial assistance with bills, food cards, fuel cards and other resources to help the family through that time. Family Reunion A day event for all families who have had a child diagnosed with cancer. This is traditionally held in the spring and gives the children, siblings, and parents a chance to reconnect, share in a fun activity, eat lunch and bond with others who are going through a similar experience. Holiday Festival & Parade This festivity is an opportunity for all Camp Happy Days families to gather and celebrate the upcoming holidays. It’s a special time with a catered meal, arts and crafts, music, games, and a visit from Santa. Holiday Giving Volunteers, donors and friends of Camp Happy Days join forces to adopt a family of a child diagnosed with cancer, helping the parents to fulfill their children’s holiday wishes. Camp Happy Days Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2014 - Sept. 30, 2015 Programs Counselor in Training After being a camper until the age of 16 we have a special program for our former campers to become junior counselors. Campers will train at Camp when they are 17 and work together to help program areas with a seasoned counselor to gain experience.