Holiday Home Camp Alumni Association Newsletter - April 2008
Letter from the President
Spring brings the renewal of the beautiful flowers that dot the landscape at Holiday Home as preparations are underway for Camp to open its gates for the 121st summer. A summer that will be filled with 400 plus campers sharing laughter, trust, positive sportsmanship, community living skills, respect for one's self, and positive self-esteem building. Holiday Home gives at-risk children a respite from the city, gangs, overcrowding, legal and school issues, dysfunctional family situations, and offers them a chance to be part of positive community, living with adults who care for them. Holiday Home helps unfortunate youth who have so little control over the environment in which they live.
The past few months brought attention to the problems of deferred maintenance, as the roof shingles on Founder's Hall needed to be replaced. The age of the roof was causing the shingles to tear off during storms and then slide down the roof into the gutters. The end result was having to replace the entire roof before there was structural damage to the building. During this replacement, it was also discovered that the roof was "spongy", so there was additional bracing placed in the attic to eliminate this problem. Then it was discovered that that woodpeckers were attacking the exterior siding of the dining room and porch in an effort to extricate the bugs that had invaded the rotten wood siding. All the repairs have been made, but with a substantial price tag. Anyone who would like to contribute a donation to the "Roof Project", please contact me.
The roof on the Cook's Cabin was also replaced, as it was in equally bad shape. The contractor who was working on the project happened to have a interest in the little building, but he was concerned about the condition of the bathroom. He bid over $5000 to complete the repairs. So, I decided that the bathroom is now the major Alumni Work Weekend project. I know that we can completely redo the entire bathroom for less than $1000. I have a few Alumni volunteers who will assist me prior to the Work Weekend with the removal of the bath tub, window and the installation of the new shower stall and closing up the opening of the existing window. The water from the shower and leaking water heater have caused the window casing and sash to rot, so the window opening will be enclosed and a exhaust fan will be installed. The floor will need new underlayment and tile. The room will be painted during the Work Weekend. I need your help with donations for the required materials. This is a project that needs to be done, as the existing condition of the bathroom is embarrassing. We shouldn't be asking the Staff to use a facility that is in such poor condition. I look forward to receiving your assistance with this project.
As you know by now, we have a Holiday Home Camp Alumni Inc. website and are no longer mailing the Alumni Newsletter. Each mailing of the newsletter costs approximately $300, including paper, copying and postage expenses. The cost of postage will be increasing again this year. I need your in help locating email addresses of Alumni. Our present email address database has about 250 addresses, but the mailing database has 450 addresses ,which includes approximately 150 international staff. Please send me email addresses for anyone who you know hasn't yet been contacted by email. I realize that there is a small number of Alumni who do not currently have access to email. They will continue to receive a printed copy of the the newsletter.
I hope you will be able to help celebrate Holiday Home's 121st year by renewing your support and participating in the Spring Alumni Work Weekend, May 16-18, 2008. Please make an effort to attend for a day or for the weekend. If you are unable to attend, please consider sending a donation to help a child enjoy two weeks at Camp. We are hoping the Alumni will be able to Adopt-a-Camper this year for two weeks at a cost of $455. If each of you could send us a few dollars, we might even be able to sponsor two or three campers.
Holiday Home Camp provides a positive growing and learning experience that many children will not encounter in their entire life. Camp counselors make a lasting impression on the children with whom they spend the summer. Become involved with Holiday Home! I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the Work Weekend. Come enjoy the special camaraderie that is ever abundant when people get together at Holiday Home Camp!
Bill Herron
Contributors
Thanks to the following people for making donations to the Holiday Home Camp Alumni Association. These contributions were made directly to Camp, through the Holiday Home Alumni Association, or by personal donations of time, labor and/or materials.
Katie & Jeremy Budrow
Maureen & Dennis Glynn
Lou Ann & Bill Herron
Fran, Eric, Bobbie & Chris Myers
Tim Turk
Donna Pflieger
Jerry Sjoberg, Home Design Mfg.
Jake Herron
Dana Riggio
Jan & Doug Irivine
Cheryl Songer
Ho-Ho! Website!
Holiday Home Camp has its own website, and we aren’t talking about spiders. It also has a link to Alumni President, Bill Herron. Visit today!
Join the Founder’s Society
Some of our members, in addition to belonging to the Alumni Association, have also joined the Founder’s Society. Membership in the Founder’s Society comes by making a special donation specifically dedicated to a major capital project. Contact Bill Herron if you are interesting in learning more. This is a true benefit to Holiday Home Camp in regards to major capital outlay projects.
In Memoriam
Jim Myers passed away in December 2007. Jim was the Camp Director during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Jim dedicated 20 years to Holiday Home Camp working with campers and staff who he cared deeply about. Jim touched the lives of many individuals not just as a teacher and a mentor, but as a friend. Jim's family have donated the memorials for Jim to the Holiday Home Camp Alumni Association.
Henrietta "Hank" Irvine passed away November 2007. Hank's husband was born at Holiday Home Camp in 1912. They met at Camp while Hank was the Camp Nurse. Hank would always have great stories to share with us about Holiday Home when she would attend the Alumni Weekends. Hank's family have donated the memorials for Hank to Holiday Home Camp.
A tree will be planted at Camp in their memory during the Alumni Work Weekend in May.
Treasury Report
The Holiday Home Camp Alumni Association’s bank balance was $1036,31 as of July 14, 2008. Donations are always appreciated and are tax deductible. We always attempt to do substantial projects fully financed by the Alumni Association, so please be generous! Every single dollar helps, and 100% of your donation goes to Holiday Home Camp. For more information on donating, please contact us. You can also click to donate online, placing your donation immediately in the HHCAA account.
Holiday Home Camp Levels of Giving
The Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association, which is the Board of Directors that runs Holiday Home Camp, offers various levels for anyone interested in supporting Holiday Home Camp. You can support the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association for as little as $50 a year.
$50 - $99 Active Contributing
$100 - $249 Sponsoring
$250 Adopt-a-Camper (1 week)
$460 Adopt-a-Camper (2 weeks)
$461 - $999 Patron
$1,000 or greater Benefactor
Please consider being part of Holiday Home Camp by contributing to the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association or to the Holiday Home Camp Alumni Association.
2008 Work Weekend
The Spring Work Weekend will take place May 16-18, 2008. Projects are as follows:
Paint the Cook's Cabin bathroom
Clean the Cook's Cabin
Clean and prep garden
Lawn care
Open Cabins and clean
Build a small bridge over the erosion control area on Lake Path
Spread wood chips at Cabins and Challenge Course
Split and stack firewood
Clean and prep Founder’s Hall
Move paints to Central Supply
Stock wood bins in Villages and Camping Areas
Repair cage at Kitchen entrance
Plant a memorial tree
Please contact Bill before May 12th if you are able to come. Remember to bring your own bedding, pillow, soap, towels, and old clothes! Can't wait to see you at Camp!