Aloha,
Your support of the YMCA of Honolulu’s 2011 Annual Strong Communities Campaign ensures that quality programs and services are offered at affordable rates; helps children, teens and families live healthier lives; and makes our community a better place for all.
During February- April, committed YMCA Camp Erdman volunteers and staff will be actively out in the community sharing about the positive impacts that the YMCA Camp Erdman has made in the life of children, teens and families from our special island community.
As a member of the Board for YMCA Camp Erdman, I am touched by the passion of the camp staff and the international Camp staff team. The caring and positive environment that his collective group of people provide on a daily basis is one of emotional safety, acceptance, respect, honesty and friendship. Camp offers a wide variety of programming for children, families and for groups (schools, non profits, and corporations).
Personal favorites are;
1) Camperships- funding from this campaign help send children whose families can't afford it to YMCA Camp. Summer camp fees run between $420 to $770 a week . Your donation can help subsidize or fund a child, allowing a camper to attend a camp session.
2) The continuation of Operation Purple, which provides a camp experience for children whose parent(s) are serving in the military. This years funding was reduced and our board and staff are wanting to not reduce the level of support, even though we have received a signficant reduction in support. If you are interested in supporting us with our projected financial shortfall, this will allow us to support campers who benefit from a positive experience. Contact Josh Heimoweitz our Executive Director for Camp Erdman at 808 637- 4615 for details.
3) Core to our mission is our international camp staff program. We have young adults from Columbia, Brazil, Japan, Africa, etc., who serve as program leaders and camp leaders. These young people are at camp year around (typically for 1 to1 1/2 years) and help to create a magical atmosphere for all involved. In return, when these camp leaders return to their country they too will have memories that last a life time. My husband and I are supporting a member from Columbia as a host family, which has been a very enjoyable experience.
Your Dollars, Your Impact
Thank you for considering joining my husband and I in this campaign to help reach our budgeted goal and impact the lives of hunderds of children and families in 2011.
If you are unable to donate at this time, but want to help YMCA Camp Erdman please consider downloading a toolbar and selecting Camp Erdman as your charity of choice with www.GoodSearch.com., every time you search the camp will receive a penny! Oprah call this...Penny's from Heaven. My belief is every littte bit can help.
Mahalo,
Bonnie Hilory
YMCA Camp Erdman board member