14 vocational students are participating in the Impact LIVE leadership program; which will provide Variety Club campers with a hands-on opportunity to plan, organize, advertise and carryout this community service project, while learning about the concepts of charity, reducing-re-using and recycling waste, and having a positive impact on the community. All of the items collected will be sold at Impact Thrift Stores and the money generated will be used to financially support a wide variety of locally-based charities.
Tamika Miller (center), staff and campers from Variety Club Summer Camp program.
I wanted to personally let the staff and campers know just how much Impact Thrift cherishes this invaluable community partnership, so I kicked-off the Variety Club’s Impact LIVE campaign, by visiting the nationally acclaimed 80-acre facility of the Camp and Development Center, located in Worcester Township, Montgomery County.
In the midst of the heat wave of a 101 degree day, Marissa Tabak, Community Relations Coordinator for Variety, was gracious enough to take me on a tour of the entire campgrounds, to include 19 cabins, a large dining and kitchen facility, a medical building, an arts and crafts center, computer and A/V labs, a greenhouse, nature trails, an outdoor amphitheater, and an auditorium with stage. As Variety Club serves children with special needs (and has done so continuously since 1949) all camp facilities are completely accessible to persons with disabilities.
Impact Thrift Stores employee Chris Tuckhorn talks about his job in the Book Department.
As I toured the campus it was evident that Variety Club is devoted to providing a fun, safe experience for children with cognitive and physical disabilities through a variety of enriching recreational and educational programs. As I observed first-hand all of the great services that Variety Club provides, it made me extremely proud to have fostered such a wonderful community partnership. But, what I am most proud of is that the Variety Club’s Impact LIVE event is scheduled to take place during their annual Sunshine Games.
A second group of campers visited Impact Thrift Stores Montgomeryville on Monday, July 16.
The Annie Madden Sunshine Games are held in memory of a beloved counselor, Annie Madden, who passed away tragically in a car accident in the summer of 1999. The Sunshine Games pay tribute to Annie by bringing together community members to interact alongside Variety’s campers in Olympic-style games. It is my honor to unite with The Variety Club and celebrate summer by hosting a collection drive event during such an honored tradition.
- When: Friday, July 27, 2012 at 9:00 AM
- Where: Variety Club Camp & Developmental Center, 2950 Potshop Road, Worcester, PA 19490
- For a list of sponsorship opportunities, please contact Marissa Tabak at (610) 366 x1100 or marissatabak@varietyphila.org for more information. Visit their website, www.varietyphila.org, to learn more about Variety Club and their focus on the Delaware Valley Region.
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