Richmond Area Business Association

OUR COMMUNITY CARES CAMP FEATURED NATIONALLY
By Marie Thomas, OCCC President

This summer, Our Community Cares Camp, Inc. (OCCC) was visited by a film crew, after receiving a small grant from Quaker Oats, to help with setting up our summer, food-service program and activity camp for the month of July.  Because they liked our concept of feeding kids' spirits as well as their bodies, they made a video, focused on the food part of our program, which can be viewed at this link.  We primarily had a wonderful summer camp with lots of creative play and arts and crafts.  We gave over 45 children the opportunity for summer fun and helped out their families, who would have had some difficulty in sending their kids to a commercial camp.  Because of our partnership with the Chittenden East Supervisory Union, we were able to bring children to us on the summer school buses.  In return, we fed all of the children who attended any summer program at Richmond Elementary or Camels Hump Middle School.

Everyone benefits from good food.  We served over 3000 meals in four weeks, with an average of 50 breakfasts and 95 lunches daily (Monday-Thursday).  Not all of the children who attended the camp or who benefitted from the food program are eligible for free or reduced lunches, but everyone had a better summer-program experience because of the outstanding food, provided by Karyl Kent, our chef de cuisine, who worked magic in the kitchen on a budget!

Many thanks go to the community members, businesses, and civic groups, who provided money and materials or who volunteered time to come to camp to share their talents.  This was truly a community effort; and in a few short months, we were able to put together an outstanding experience for our youngsters, from Richmond, Huntington, and Bolton.  Our activity director, Liz Russell, designed a remarkable smorgasbord of activities and assembled a very talented staff of high school and college students who put everything they had into making this summer great for everyone.  Each day was packed with outdoor and indoor games, music, art projects, crafts, and opportunities for children to explore and be creative.  It was truly a magical month.

I understand that Quaker intends to distribute this video to other locations, including Facebook and YouTube.  They are trying to attract other groups to apply for their Go Grant! Program.   I was told that we were the only group that is being profiled by Quaker this year.  They gave out 100 grants and had several hundred applications.  This was a great honor for us and we had a fun time with the film crew.  They were very impressed with the quality of the camp, the organization and the wonderful food, and, of course, our wonderful children.  It is nice to think that we could capture the attention of a national corporation with our community spirit.  Our community really does care and it shows.

As happy as we are to have some national exposure for our efforts this summer, we are already looking forward to getting ready for next year.  We are ready to roll up our sleeves and start the planning for July 2010.  There will be a meeting, in October (date and location TBA), that will be opened to the public.  We will be looking for new friends to join us on the Board of Directors, or for those who are willing to volunteer some time to fill out grant applications, sponsor a fund-raising event, or who would be willing to help with a fund-raising event.  Even if you just have a great idea, send it our way.  Send an email or leave a phone message, and we can meet to discuss your thoughts or ideas.   We are always happy to accept donations to help us meet our final expenses for this year, as well as filling the coffers for next year.  You can always mail us a donation or drop it off to Linda Parent, at the Richmond Town Clerk's office.

Thank you, if you are one of our guardian angels who helped us through our first year.  We had so many who showed up at an opportune moment with money or supplies, wrote a letter of support, or who had some wonderful toys or craft items they no longer needed.  Each and every gift was perfect and helped us on our way to success.

(Note:  OCCC Board of Directors includes Mark Carbone, Michael Dooling, Mary O'Neil, Linda Parent, and Becky Therrien.  For more information, contact Marie Thomas at:   Our Community Cares Camp, P.O. Box 503, Richmond, Vermont 05477, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or 802-434-6006.)