April 18, 2002 

GIVE A SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE TO A CHILD IN NEED

Charlotte, NC -- Children and camp should be as natural a part of summer as a cold glass of lemonade on a hot day. The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) is asking for help sending children to summer camp.

 The Community Resources Office of DSS is accepting donations for its annual project that provides children of client families, foster children, and others in need, with the summer camp experience. 

Last year private donations provided scholarships for 203 children to attend summer camp. Polly Needham, administrator of the Community Resources Office, wants to see that number increase this summer. 

"People responded generously last year and many of them sent notes and letters with their donations," Needham said. "Some people wrote and said their parents weren't able to afford camp for them when they were growing up. They wanted their donation to give a child an opportunity they didn't have." 

A variety of summer camp experiences are available through the County's Park & Recreation Department, the YMCA and YWCA. There are also specialty camps such as therapeutic camps, basketball, cheerleading, tennis, computer, fashion merchandise, cultural arts, adventure, teen wildlife, all sports, mad science, skateboard, in-line skate and others. 

A child can attend one to two weeks of summer camp, or longer in some cases. The costs of the camps vary. Any amount is welcomed, Needham said. A $130 donation, for example, can send a child to two weeks of summer day camp. 

Checks made out to Trust and Agency Fund can be sent to Mecklenburg County DSS, Community Resources Office, 301 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC  28211. 

For more information, please call the main number of the Community Resources Office at 704-336-4809.