Help out Camp to Belong

Help out some foster kids and get rewarded....

As you may remember, last year was my first time volunteering to photograph the kids at "Camp to Belong". It was a very rewarding experience, being able to give these very deserving siblings a way to take home the memories of the time they shared with their siblings.

For those of you that don't know what "Camp to Belong" is, it is a non profit camp dedicated to reuniting siblings whom have been placed in separate foster throughout Washington, for a fun filled week of camp. You can read more about it by visiting their website at www.camptobelong.org/washington/

Thanks to the generosity of people who donated last year, I was able to give each of the children a good sized portrait package of them with their siblings as well as a smaller package of them each individually. I was also able to print out quite a few snapshots that I had taken throughout the week, which they put into scrapbooks to take home.

This years Camp to Belong is coming up very soon (August 15th). In order for me to be able to send the 100 campers home with portrait packages again, I am going to need to raise some money. I have decided to sell Reflections Photography Gift cards for $50.00 and $100.00 as a fundraiser. (100% of the proceeds from the money earned will go towards Camp to Belong Portraits) If you can't give this much, please feel free to send as much or as little as you feel.

To donate, please send your check to Reflections Photography, 653 S.E. Lakeway Blvd. Port Orchard, WA. 98367. If you send $50.00 or $100.00, I will send you a gift card.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. It is greatly appreciated.

God Bless,

Anna Wessel

Camp to Belong Still in Need of Funding

I just got off the phone with April VanGesen, the camp coordinator for the Camp to Belong here in Washington, and she let me know that there is a desperate need of funding to get this camp off the ground. She has forwarded this letter which includes a list of items that they are still in need of to really make this camp work. So if you feel like you would like to help, you may send the money or gift cards, or whatever else you may have to donate to me or her at the address below.

I want to send out a VERY special THANK YOU to the people whom have sent money to help with the portraits. I have nearly reached the $500.00 already, and plan of giving any extra over to Camp to Belong to help make all of the wonderful events they have planned work...


Camp Members:
Australia
California ♥ Canada
♥ Georgia ♥Maine
♥ Massachusetts ♥ Nevada
♥ Oregon ♥ Washington
Washington DC ♥
Camp To Belong Northwest
April VanGesen ● Deb Kennedy
Co-Directors CTB Washington

Foster Family Connections
5457 E Blaisdell lane
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360.286.3992




Help us launch Camp To Belong Washington!


Camp To Belong Summer Camps were created to reunite siblings separated in foster care and other out of home care. Our unique programs reunite brothers and sisters in a safe, neutral, week-long camp environment to create childhood memories together that they would not have otherwise due to living in separate homes. Each Summer Camp provides intentional programming designed to strengthen sibling connection through our Signature Programs, including Art Activities, Sibling Enhancement, Life Seminar, and the Birthday Party Event.
Since 2001, Camp To Belong Northwest has reunited over 400 siblings from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In 2008, we had an overwhelming response for camper spots, receiving 300 referrals, three times the amount of camper spots we had available. With only one camp serving the Northwest, we had to turn away many deserving brothers and sisters. It is due to this increasing need and response that in 2009 we launched Camp To Belong Washington and will be hosting our first summer camp at Miracle Ranch on the Kitsap Peninsula from August 24th – 29th.

Help us make this a camp to remember!


To accomplish our mission and to successfully host the Camp To Belong Washington Summer Camp, we need your help! We are still raising funds and as non-profit, we rely solely on donations from individuals, local businesses, corporations and grants. Donations of items and services are greatly needed as well. We are a dedicated group of individuals that volunteer our time and work year round to raise the funds needed to provide this experience for these disadvantaged youth. Every dollar we raise goes directly to the campers!

Camp To Belong Washington is a member camp directed by Friends of Foster Family Connections of Port Orchard, WA; with full rights and privilege to replicate the national Camp To Belong Program. The Internal Revenue Service recognizes the Oregon Foster Parent Association/Camp To Belong Northwest / Washington Tax Id # 91-1803863 as exempt under section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Camp To Belong is also classified as a public charity under sections 509(a) (1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.













Camp To Belong Washington currently needs:


We still need to raise $6,000 to cover camp costs. (12 campers)


Sponsor for Rodeo Night – $1,000 (this is the cost for the actual rodeo)


Sponsor for Rock N Roll night - $500 (Cost of the band plus tie Dye shirts)


1. Grocery Store Gift Cards: To cover snacks for Rock N Roll night and Rodeo/ Carnival Night.

2. Walmart, Target & Fred Meyer Gift cards: To cover camper incidentals (forgotten kid items), Film developing of disposable cameras to make memory books, Nurse station supplies, first Aid Kits.

3. JoAnne & Michaels Gift Cards: Arts & craft projects.

4. Fast Food Gift Cards: Campers are coming from across the entire state of Washington plus abroad. This would help subsidize lunch while traveling to or from camp.



Please send all donations to:

Friends of Foster Family Connections
5457 E Blaisdell Lane
Port Orchard, WA 98366



Again, every dollar we raise and every item donated goes directly to support the camp program activities and campers scholarships.



We appreciate the opportunity to share our journey and submit this request for support for the 2009 camp season as we launch the first ever Camp To Belong Washington. We hope that you will choose to join us in this endeavor by contributing and we look forward to hearing from you for our 2009 camp season.

Sincerely,


Camp To Belong Washington Dedicated Volunteers

April VanGesen & Deb Kennedy
CTB NW Washington Co-Directors (360) 286-3992