From The Director's Desk
By Dan King
On Monday, June 8 we announced one of the most consequential decisions in Camp’s 62-summer history. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to cancel 2020 summer camp. We knew it was a likely outcome as time passed and conditions didn’t improve, but it still seemed like an impossible conclusion even after the decision was announced. As painful as it was, we know it was the right decision. About 10 days later we learned that all Illinois residential summer camps would not be allowed to operate in 2020. Several other states barred camps from operating, but many chose to allow service if certain guidelines were adopted and followed. We were not alone in our decision to cancel, as most residential summer camps throughout the United States came to the same conclusion. However, many of the nation’s 9,000 overnight camps did serve children.
The American Camp Association estimates that 18% of U.S. residential summer camps operated last summer. As you may have learned from regional and national media outlets, several programs, including two located in nearby states, experienced outbreaks. However, most camps that served children did not have notable problems with the virus. I’m not sharing this to suggest that COVID is not dangerous. It is highly contagious and should be respected. I mention this because we are already planning summer camp 2021 and there is a great deal to learn from camps that operated in 2020. Even with the release of an effective vaccine, COVID will most likely remain with us well into next year, and we must make every reasonable effort to minimize the likelihood of disease transmission. Therefore, nearly every facet of the summer camp experience – from arrival day to meal service to cabin life – is being examined and will be altered as needed. We don’t yet know how we’ll address every operating challenge in 2021, but we have a head start on creating a comprehensive plan – that is, of course, if conditions and regulators allow Illinois’ summer camps to resume their work next summer.
Overnight summer camps in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – the same agency that advises the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in its efforts to publish COVID-19 operating guidelines for schools, day-care centers, and restaurants, among other businesses and organizations. They have a big, complicated job. Unfortunately, residential camps were not considered “essential” for IDPH, DCEO, and the Illinois Governor’s Office to warrant consideration for the adoption of operating guidelines last summer. Summer camping is an essential component of youth development. As an industry, we certainly do not want the kids in our care to be unnecessarily exposed to pathogens. However, we are accustomed to operating in an environment in which risks are managed and minimized through proper planning and procedures. With that in mind, we will plan diligently for summer camp 2021, pray for an end to the pandemic, and hope that camps will be allowed to operate.
In the Spring Newsletter we shared a list of things you can do to help Camp make it through the financial crisis caused by COVID-19. Thank you, Ondessonk Friends, for responding so generously. We are pleased and humbled by your support. An updated version of the list is found below:
May God’s hands keep and guide the Campers of Ondessonk and may you find ways to keep Camp in your life for the rest of your life.
Sincerely,
Dan King
The American Camp Association estimates that 18% of U.S. residential summer camps operated last summer. As you may have learned from regional and national media outlets, several programs, including two located in nearby states, experienced outbreaks. However, most camps that served children did not have notable problems with the virus. I’m not sharing this to suggest that COVID is not dangerous. It is highly contagious and should be respected. I mention this because we are already planning summer camp 2021 and there is a great deal to learn from camps that operated in 2020. Even with the release of an effective vaccine, COVID will most likely remain with us well into next year, and we must make every reasonable effort to minimize the likelihood of disease transmission. Therefore, nearly every facet of the summer camp experience – from arrival day to meal service to cabin life – is being examined and will be altered as needed. We don’t yet know how we’ll address every operating challenge in 2021, but we have a head start on creating a comprehensive plan – that is, of course, if conditions and regulators allow Illinois’ summer camps to resume their work next summer.
Overnight summer camps in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – the same agency that advises the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in its efforts to publish COVID-19 operating guidelines for schools, day-care centers, and restaurants, among other businesses and organizations. They have a big, complicated job. Unfortunately, residential camps were not considered “essential” for IDPH, DCEO, and the Illinois Governor’s Office to warrant consideration for the adoption of operating guidelines last summer. Summer camping is an essential component of youth development. As an industry, we certainly do not want the kids in our care to be unnecessarily exposed to pathogens. However, we are accustomed to operating in an environment in which risks are managed and minimized through proper planning and procedures. With that in mind, we will plan diligently for summer camp 2021, pray for an end to the pandemic, and hope that camps will be allowed to operate.
In the Spring Newsletter we shared a list of things you can do to help Camp make it through the financial crisis caused by COVID-19. Thank you, Ondessonk Friends, for responding so generously. We are pleased and humbled by your support. An updated version of the list is found below:
- Wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing, and wear a mask when in public. Camp needs you to do everything you can do to be well. This is, of course, for your health and the health of your family, neighbors, and community. We also need you for the rest of this list.
- Pray. We really, really mean it. Please pray.
- Participate in the Campfire Circle monthly giving program by giving an amount of your choice each month. Giving this way provides steady revenue that strengthens Camp and its campers. Please visit our giving page to make it happen.
- Continue preparing yourself for “post pandemic” participation in Camp Ondessonk. We also ask that you help us generate operating revenue by visiting Camp for camping, lodging, meals, small-group seminars and retreats, and the limited programming we are currently able to offer. Our dwindling reserve funds and income from services and donations are keeping Camp open. Please help us outlast the pandemic. Check out our event calendar. Information about booking unit camping, lodging, and other services and programs is found here.
- Be kind. Lift people. Love one another.
May God’s hands keep and guide the Campers of Ondessonk and may you find ways to keep Camp in your life for the rest of your life.
Sincerely,
Dan King
In this issue...
1. Visit Camp O This Fall
"Even the most experienced Shawnee hiker would agree, nowhere in Southern Illinois rivals Cedar Falls, Phantom’s Canyon, or Hogg’s Bluff." |
By Greg Santen, Guest Services Director
Southern Illinois is rising in popularity as a getaway destination for folks with all levels of enthusiasm for the outdoors. From rugged and rustic to laid back and lavish, experiences in nature abound in the Shawnee National Forest. Ondessonk is no exception. Ondessonk is situated right in the center of these outdoor opportunities. We’re a short drive from some of the most popular hiking spots in the Shawnee, state parks, wineries, and other attractions. Some of the biggest advantages of visiting Camp are what you can see and do without ever leaving our 983 acres. Even the most experienced Shawnee hiker would agree, nowhere in Southern Illinois rivals Cedar Falls, Phantom’s Canyon, or Hogg’s Bluff. Not many private tracts of land are also adjacent to 4000 acres of National Forest. And there’s nothing like waking up in an Ondessonk Treehouse. Camp has been open to day-hikers and overnight guests during the school year for many years. Just during the months of August and September 2020, Camp has welcomed more than 900 day-hikers and overnight guests. Some come just for the day to check out one of our many hiking trails, while others enjoy an overnight stay to accomplish everything on their list while they’re here. While some appreciate the more rugged and rustic stay in our beautiful treehouses; others prefer the amenities of a St. Noel suite. Either way, folks have been having a great time so far this Fall at Camp. Fall is really just beginning. Most of the sights and sounds in the forest still say summer, but the early October chill announces fall is here. Camp is the perfect place to take in the fall colors we are sure to enjoy in the next several weeks. We still have availability the last weekend in October and the first two weekends in November, offering a view of prime fall colors and perfect weather. Call Camp and make a reservation today! |
2. Who is Tinkerbell?
"Tinkerbell is a true tinker in Camp Ondessonk’s world. Volunteering has been very rewarding for her. She wants to give back to the place that taught her to be the strong, positive person she is today." |
By Judy Blase Woodruff
Tinker Bell, a fictional character from J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play Peter Pan, made famous in 1953 by the Walt Disney animated picture Peter Pan, is a fairy who mends pots and kettles, an actual tinker of the fairy folk… Once upon a time, a little girl learned about Camp Ondessonk. It seemed to be a wonderful place in a fairytale. But no, it was a real place where dreams came true! The little girl could be herself where she wasn’t bullied because of the color of her skin or how much she weighed. It was a place where she was just like everyone else - the way children should grow up. It was a place of peace and tranquility, and she kept coming back because it was like home to her. The little girl’s name was Kathryn Ann Chambliss. Kathy grew up in Cairo, Illinois, where she was the fourth child in a family of nine siblings. Her father was a physician and her mother, a stay-at-home mom. All of the children but one attended Camp Ondessonk, and she and her older sister, Karen, went on to become CITs and Counselors. Kathy traveled to Camp with her family when they took her siblings to attend each summer. She thought Camp was wonderful and wanted to go as well. The year she was eligible to go, her mother said she had to wait one more year, but finally in 1968, she attended with her sister, Patricia. That first year the girls registered in the unit where Lucia Juenger Hodges was unit leader. Kathy cried at the end of the week because she didn’t want to leave. In later years, she signed up for two-week sessions. One year, Kathy’s unit was creating a Disney-themed skit. Her sister kept yelling, “Kathy will play Tinkerbell!” Kathy was a bit embarrassed, but it caught on and the staff remembered her nickname the next year. She doesn’t mind the nickname, and a lot of people from Camp don’t know her actual name! Tinkerbell was so excited about Camp, that she became a CIT in 1972. She learned archery skills from Pati Loehr, who was the archery instructor at the time. In 1973, Tinkerbell became a counselor and instructed archery during both boys’ and girls’ seasons. She was the archer who shot flaming arrows during Lodge ceremonies each week. Her second year on staff, she was in charge of the kitchen. The next year Tinkerbell became a unit leader and served until 1980. After the summer of 1980, she began her career working at SIUC in foodservice management, a career that took root from her time spent learning at Ondessonk. Her work took much of her time, and she drifted away from Camp. Twenty-nine years after her last summer on staff, Kathy retired from SIUC. It was time to return to Camp Ondessonk! A camper she met in 1974, Peggy Gude Feigl, became a dear friend, (coincidentally they have the same birthday) and have remained so to this day. Peggy urged Tinkerbell to volunteer at Camp with her. So, in 2016, Tink and Peggy volunteered. The duo has worked in numerous areas around Camp - such as helping at the Trading Post, sewing Lodge Sashes, opening cases of unit shirts in Central (sorting, folding and placing the shirts in cubbyholes). Volunteering seven hours a day sorting the shirts makes their arms sore, but they don’t care. They listen to the radio, talk, and laugh away the hours as good friends often do. Whatever needs to be done, they are happy to do, whether it is during summer camp or throughout the year. Tinkerbell is a true tinker in Camp Ondessonk’s world. Volunteering has been very rewarding for her. She wants to give back to the place that taught her to be the strong, positive person she is today. She wants children to experience the non-judgmental world Camp offers, and to have the opportunity to learn about other people they would never meet without a Camp Ondessonk experience. It’s a place that feels like home, where lifelong friends are made. |
3. Pete Korte Hosts 25th Annual Golf Benefit for Camp O
“Sincere thanks to Pete and his family, Cheetah Horstmann, the employees at Korte & Luitjohan, and all of the businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and golfers who have supported the campers of Camp Ondessonk, especially in these unprecedented times.” |
By McKenna Sawchak, Events and Marketing Coordinator
The 25th Annual Camp Ondessonk Golf Benefit took place on September 12th and was hosted by Pete Korte. This event raised more than $40,000 for Camp. Though this year was met with certain challenges due to COVID-19, Pete, Cheetah Horstmann, and Camp Ondessonk staff forged ahead and hosted a tournament boasting 140 golfers and 85 sponsors. Thanks to the passion and dedication of Korte and his family, friends, and colleagues, more than $750,000 has been raised over the past 25 years, resulting in thousands of camper scholarships. Pete Korte, chairman of Korte & Luitjohan Contractors Inc, located in Highland, Illinois, has been involved with Camp Ondessonk for decades, and Pete’s personal motto is, “It’s all for the kids!” His children and grandchildren attended Camp and served as counselors, and Pete and his generous employees have donated thousands of hours of their time, equipment, and construction expertise to build shower houses and a climbing wall. They have installed water and electric lines, and completed dozens of other building projects. These outstanding efforts have helped Camp keep tuition low for campers. “Each year, I am truly amazed at the generosity and support displayed at our annual golf tournament hosted by Pete Korte, but the success of this year’s event, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, is incredible,” said Dan King, Camp’s Executive Director. “Sincere thanks to Pete and his family, Cheetah Horstmann, the employees at Korte & Luitjohan, and all of the businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and golfers who have supported the campers of Camp Ondessonk, especially in these unprecedented times.” The funds raised through the golf tournament will benefit Camp Ondessonk, and will be used to help sustain and enhance programs, to fund scholarships that allow children of all income levels to experience Camp, and to fund new initiatives that fulfill Camp’s mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages. |
4. Campfire Circle Member - Chase Halgerson
“I will always be donating to Camp Ondessonk, because I truly believe that it makes a huge difference to people, and I want to continue to show my support of Camp’s mission.” |
By Judy Blase Woodruff
Chase Halgerson understands the needs of a nonprofit organization. He knows that they must rely on financial gifts to provide the means to sustain and improve programs and services that meet an organization’s mission. Camp Ondessonk is one of the organizations that relies on these types of gifts in order to be successful. Chase grew up hearing stories from his mother, Jacquie Jablonski, who painted vivid, heartwarming pictures of her time at Camp Ondessonk. These stories led Chase to travel from their home in Idaho to the hills of the Shawnee National Forest to experience Ondessonk for himself. His love of Ondessonk spanned 10 summers, both as a camper and staff member, and now, as someone who wants to keep the excitement of Camp alive for others. Chase was one of those campers who went to Camp without bringing friends from Idaho with him. His friends out West never understood why he wanted to spend his summers in the humidity and “oddness” of Southern Illinois. It didn’t matter that he attended by himself, because he formed true friendships at Ondessonk that have lasted a lifetime. It still amazes him that wherever he travels - throughout the United States and even overseas - he runs into Camp Ondessonk folks who are quick to share stories about their time at Camp. Ondessonk has made quite an impact on his life, as the time he spent there has helped shape the person he is today. He is much more patient, he appreciates the little things in life, he recognizes what he values in himself, and he keeps enjoying life through the good and the bad. Camp Ondessonk provided Chase with so many rewarding experiences that it’s hard for him to articulate them all. Because Camp has given so much to him, he states, “I will always be donating to Camp Ondessonk, because I truly believe that it makes a huge difference to people, and I want to continue to show my support of Camp’s mission.” Chase is now a member of the Campfire Circle monthly giving program. He wants to show support in a tangible way, especially during the financial difficulties Camp is experiencing as a result of the COVID pandemic. He gives monthly because it’s an easy, automatic way to support the place he holds close to his heart. “I give what I can each month, even though I wish I could give more,” says Chase. Please consider joining Chase and becoming a member of the Campfire Circle. Through your monthly gift, you become invested in the daily mission of Camp Ondessonk, and you recognize that the need for support is year-round. Your gifts provide the stability Camp needs during uncertain times like now. Currently, there are 133 Campfire Circle members who have committed a monthly gift to Camp. Our goal is to reach 220 by the end of 2020. Yes, something positive can come out of the year 2020 with your help! Click here to join today. You are key to keeping the Ondessonk campfire burning brightly! |
5. Family Camp Weekend
"Although there were many changes to the weekend, the experience was full of the appreciation from families to be able to enjoy the beauty of Camp Ondessonk." |
By Nolan Hurst, Camping Services Director
Mother Teresa once said, “Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.” On the evening of September 18, the gates of Camp Ondessonk opened for the annual Fall Family Camp weekend in order to provide an opportunity for families to smile together! Camp served 209 participants spread out among 54 families. Ondessonk staff spent many weeks planning and preparing to make necessary modifications before families arrived to keep all family members and staff safe. Some of these modifications included planning to have meals delivered to the units, assigning program times, and hosting evening campfires based at the individual units where staff came to visit and sing a song or tell a story. Families had the opportunity to participate in activities such as boating, scaling the climbing wall, creating handicrafts, riding horses and more. Before arriving, each family was asked to share their preferences so staff could attempt to sign family groups up for as many activities as possible. Many families also had time during the day to explore and play in the Shawnee National Forest on their own. Although there were many changes to the weekend, the experience was full of the appreciation from families to be able to enjoy the beauty of Camp Ondessonk. Staff and families learned a new way to experience Camp Ondessonk, and left the staff looking forward to continuing to improve and serve families to the best of their ability. We look forward to providing many future opportunities for families to smile together while experiencing the magic of Camp Ondessonk. |
6. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? – Sam Valentine
"Sam, who was on staff from 2004 through 2010, credited camp for helping her to gain her own confidence. Sometimes that meant winging a skit in front of each group of new campers or being able to talk to anyone about anything." |
By Anna Spoerre
Former camp staffer Sam Valentine, an actress in Los Angeles, credits not only her career, but also her name, to Ondessonk. Her recent film, Followed — a modern age found footage horror movie about a YouTube crew that goes to haunted sites to debunk and make videos about them — has been grabbing people’s attention across the country. Sam likened the experience of being part of a film’s cast, who filmed the movie in three weeks throughout downtown LA and Koreatown, to that of summer camp syndrome. Plus, the wardrobe which included a baseball cap and oversized flannel, was very camp-adjacent style. “The beautiful thing about this script is all the females are written as very strong, very confident, very opinionated characters,” Sam said of the film, adding that it’s rare to find a horror movie without any heavy female stereotypes. Sam, who was on staff from 2004 through 2010, credited camp for helping her to gain her own confidence. Sometimes that meant winging a skit in front of each group of new campers or being able to talk to anyone about anything. Camp also rewarded values such as honesty. “The amount of creativity and fun I got to work on at camp also fueled my confidence," Sam added. "I don’t know if I would be in this job if it wasn’t for camp." She also noted the structure of camp’s staffing from CIT to leadership staff helped give her a vision for her acting dreams later. “At the time I was like, there’s no way I could ever do that, that’s so much responsibility,” she said of being a young staff member looking up to camp leadership almost two decades ago. “And then in the blink of an eye, in a couple years’ time, that is exactly what I was doing.” As more people continue to see her name on the big screen credits or on their televisions, Sam noted that her stage name was one given to her at Ondessonk. As a CIT in 2003, campers in her assigned unit called her Sam instead of Samantha. She really liked it, and it stuck. She keeps in touch with camp friends through a text group, which includes an actress, lawyer, veterinarian, biomedical researcher, and someone who is in the fashion industry. When quarantine began, they started catching up over regular zoom calls. Sam encourages everyone to also keep Camp in their conversations so it doesn’t get lost amid the tasks of adulthood; go back to Labor Day (post-pandemic), share an old camp picture online, text a camp friend. “I think there’s magic in re-igniting relationships right now more than ever,” she said. Sam is also the creator of the podcast One Broke Actress. She spends her free time with her fiancé and three rescue dogs. A camp supporter will soon have the opportunity to meet Sam virtually and join in on a private viewing of her new film as part of the Camp Ondessonk Experience and Memorabilia Virtual Auction. To learn more about Sam Valentine’s acting career visit https://m.imdb.com/name/nm3921523 |
7. Bob Lavato Camp Profile
“Bob was sort of the leader of the group. He kept spirits up and encouraged everyone to work hard." |
By Anna Spoerre
Camp Ondessonk is physically standing today thanks to the efforts of those who invested their time and energy decades ago into the fledgling camp. Bob Lovatto was one of those who invested. Bob was the first of only 25 people who have received the Merit of St. René Goupil Award, given to outstanding non-Lodge volunteers who render meritorious service to Camp Ondessonk. Though he has since passed away, Bob kept the green sash displayed in his room for years, his niece Anna Marie Sczuerak Biever said. Bob was among a group of half a dozen men who would come home from their jobs on Friday evening, pack up their bags and toolboxes, and head to Camp for the weekend. “Their work was so valuable because they knew how to do things,” Ed Barbier said of the group, which included Ralph Rheinecker, John Mushill, Ray Mushill and Ed Doctor. “They were all pretty good craftsmen in their own right,” said Ed, who was a counselor from 1959 to 1968. “Bob was sort of the leader of the group. He kept spirits up and encouraged everyone to work hard. They had a good time at it, and they drank adult beverages while they did it,” Ed said with a laugh, “but it was basically a ministry for them since they believed in what the camp program could do.” In time, the men, mostly from St. Philip Parish in East Saint Louis, would run electricity through Camp’s main areas, design some of the cabins, and build the staff lounge. They taught the younger generation, such as Ed and Jim Shively how to work with their hands. “They were pretty well invested in the belief that outdoor experiences for kids were the best things going for them,” said Jim. One of the reasons Jim has invested so much of his own life into camp is because of the lessons he took from working with Bob and the others when he was a young teenager. “These guys knew that somebody had to follow up with what they were doing because they knew that they weren’t going to be there forever,” Jim said. They wanted to ensure Camp would last. “If people have the wherewithal that they can invest in Camp, that would be a great thing," Jim said. "All of the hard work that all of these men, our ancestors, put in to build it, to make it what it is today for the kids, we need to think about that and invest in what these guys did.” |
8. Stable News
By Catherine Limkeman, Equestrian Director
We want to thank everyone for the generous support shown Camp Ondessonk and the Stables during these challenging times due to the pandemic. Because of your help, we still have healthy, happy, and slightly flabby horses. Though the horses didn’t get their usual amount of exercise over the summer, we ran trail rides all summer long and will continue to offer service throughout the fall season. The trail rides have given some of our younger horses the work they need to stay happy, and have allowed some older ones to enjoy an extended furlough. The herd is delighted to be “out to pasture,” but they certainly miss the campers and human interaction that horseback riding provides. One expanded highlight is the private lesson program we offer at the Ondessonk Stables. If you or someone you know wants to hone their riding skills, we offer riding lessons to individuals or groups. As with any ability, the best way to improve is to practice! Even if you have never ridden a horse before or have limited experience, we can provide lessons to help you reach your horsemanship goals. A Certified Horsemanship Association instructor teaches our riding classes in English and Western styles and builds on a progression toward your equestrian objectives. If you are looking for a way to spend time outdoors, learn a new skill, and get exercise, please consider horseback riding with us. Riding lessons are for ages eight and up and are available on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Click here for more information |
9. Ondessonk Snapshots
Virtual Staff Auction |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not hold our annual staff auction the last Thursday night of summer training. To continue making memories and keep the Camp O spirit alive, Ondessonk staff hosted our first Virtual Staff Auction. Staff members from 2018-2020 participated beginning on Sunday, July 26 by viewing and bidding on camp memorabilia and experiences. The event concluded with a live Zoom gathering on Thursday, July 30 where Nolan Hurst, Camping Services Director, and Dru Kee, Support Services Director, served as emcees. The virtual auction raised more than $5,000 to help support Camp Ondessonk’s mission and programs.
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Labor Day Third-Party Fundraisers!
Heepwah Helper - Former staff member and current volunteer Vanessa Alvarez-Biver led efforts on Facebook for over a week leading up to Labor Day Weekend, and created Heepwah Helpers benefitting Camp Ondessonk. Vanessa secured matching gifts totaling $2,200 and rallied friends of Camp raising $5,381.07 in total gifts. To learn more about holding a third-party fundraiser, click here.
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BBQ Ribs Sale - Thank you to the parishioners of St. Joseph & St. Paul Parish Communities and the Marion Knights of Columbus for holding a rib sale over the Labor Day weekend that benefited Camp Ondessonk. Special thanks to Randy Barton, Mike DeMattei, Bob Bosch, John Blu, Terrie & Carl Sternberg, Father Brian Barker, and everyone who promoted, prepared, and sold ribs. This third-party fundraiser raised $2,949.00 for Camp!
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On the Trail: Cedar Falls at Camp Ondessonk
WSIL-TV reporter Jacie Brianne recently interviewed Executive Director Dan King as they hiked to Cedar Falls. The iconic waterfall, also referred to as Pakentuck, is thought to be the tallest waterfall in Illinois. Come and see it for yourself. Click here to learn more about day hiking at Camp Ondessonk.
Paint Long and Prosper
Camp Ranger Mike Jennings organized a team of volunteers and staff to begin painting the exterior of the St. Noel Retreat and Conference Center. This endeavor is the second phase of the St. Noel renovation project to enhance the facility and rooms for guests. Camp Ondessonk has seen a sharp increase in room reservations after listing availability on VRBO and AirBnB.
Camp O Experiences & Memorabilia Virtual Auction
The Camp O Experiences & Memorabilia Virtual Auction began Sunday, September 27th, and concluded with a live Zoom event, reaching 2,900 individuals, on Thursday, October 1st. To say our community came together to support Camp Ondessonk is an understatement. With 230 supporters, the event blew our initial goal out of the water and ended up raising at total of $12,513 - $10,958 from the auction and an additional $1,555 in donations. Thank you to our friends who participated in our virtual auction. You are truly making a difference at Camp Ondessonk!
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10. Family News
- Callie Kreidler Wood and Jordan Wood are due to have Baby Girl Wood any day now - due date was September 23. Her two older brothers, Max (5) and Henry (3), can’t wait to meet her!
- Maddie Jackstadt and Nick Petz are engaged!
- Colin and Jess York welcomed their second daughter, Audra Reed York, June 25, 2020.
- Rachelle Allen Camp and her husband, Richard, welcomed future camper Luna!
- Mary Kleuh and fiancé Svetoslav changed their wedding date to June 19, 2021! (Thanks, COVID!)
- Kyle Schrage moved to Oak Lawn, IL and is now in his first apartment.
- Carmen Cronin and fiancé Andrew are still engaged and have moved their wedding to June 2021!
- Matt and Vanessa Alvarez Biver, along with their 5 kids, started Seven Forks Farm. “We grow popcorn! This year we grew three varieties: Purple, Red, and White.“
- Jessie Dickerson is graduating this fall with her Master's in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Utah and has accepted a position as the Project Manager on the American Camp Association's Camp Program Quality Initiative. Talk about "Because of Camp...!"
- Kelsey Greenwell is now working as an Occupational Therapist. She and her fiancé are in the process of buying a home and planning for a wedding in June 2021!
- Allison Rohde-Newgent finished her Veterinary Surgery Residency in July. It’s been a long 5 years of training since finishing vet school, but she’s finally done. Now, she must pass that board exam!!
- Lauren Cooper is graduating with her BSN in December and hoping to land a job in pediatrics.
- Annie Murnane graduated in May and started her first job as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
- Olivia Hurley graduated from nursing school in May 2020 and started her first job as an RN at an emergency department in St. Louis.
- Cole and Carolyn McManus Blechle welcomed future camper Mae Charlotte September 7th, 2020.
- Jacqueline Jablonski and Karl Undesser got married in French Polynesia this summer.
- Chase Halgerson and Regan Brown are engaged.
- Carlin Fenn Lewis began a new position as a Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (KY and TN). She and her husband, Brian, bought their first home and are enjoying the hiking and canoeing opportunities the surrounding area has to offer.
11. What is GuideStar?
"Currently, Camp is working toward obtaining the GuideStar Gold Seal which, in addition to Silver Seal criteria, will highlight our programs and services by providing qualitative information about goals, strategies, and vision." |
By Judy Blase Woodruff
Have you heard the name GuideStar and wondered what it is? Founded in 1994, GuideStar is one of the first central sources that provides information about nonprofits in the United States. GuideStar also serves to verify that a recipient organization is established and that donated funds go where the donor intends. The mission of GuideStar is “to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.” The Seals of Transparency is not a rating or ranking system. It is used to indicate an organization’s commitment to transparency. When an organization shares information through GuideStar Nonprofit Profile, there is an opportunity to increase funding for the organization. In 2013, GuideStar began allowing nonprofits to supplement public information that is available from the IRS, and they implemented three Seals based on the information a nonprofit provided in its profile – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Then in 2016, a new Seal that allows nonprofits to share progress and results for their mission, GuideStar Platinum, was introduced. A Seal of Transparency appears on an organization’s Nonprofit Profile on GuideStar when the organization has publicly shared important information about its work. Currently, Camp Ondessonk has the Silver Seal of Transparency that builds trust by sharing financials. To reach this level, we had to provide complete contact details, mission statement, names of the members on our board of directors and leadership team, programs and locations served, along with financial information. Currently, Camp is working toward obtaining the GuideStar Gold Seal which, in addition to Silver Seal criteria, will highlight our programs and services by providing qualitative information about goals, strategies, and vision. By being listed in GuideStar (a free service) we can provide donors and funders a better insight into our work, and stand out from other nonprofits. It shows prospective donors that we are committed to transparency. Visit www.guidestar.org for more information and to see Camp Ondessonk’s listing. |
2020 Camp Ondessonk Board of Directors
Tracy Beckham Phipps, President
Attorney Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard P.C. Thomas Young Sr., Vice President Farrier, self-employed Jacquelyn Savage McKay, Secretary Retired Corporate Executive Assistant Sara Simonin Foundation Specialist Enterprise Holdings Foundation Tip Belz Retired Electrician IBEW – Local 309 Belinda Bauer Retired Speech-Language Pathologist Reverend Steven L. Beatty Parish Pastor & Camp Ondessonk Chaplain St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Ridgway, IL Katie Birge Executive Director Launch Indy Chris Cahnovsky Regional Manager Illinois Environmental Protection Agency |
Sandy Eversole
Manager of Financial Planning Mercy Carrie Keller Attorney SmithAmundsen, LLC Kyle Klues Structural Design Engineer Kent Plotner Attorney Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C. Joseph Werner Building Contractor Joe Werner Construction Ex Officio Trustees: Most Reverend Michael G. McGovern Bishop Diocese of Belleville Very Reverend John C. Iffert, V.G. Vicar General / Moderator of Curia Diocese of Belleville Jonathan Birdsong Superintendent of Schools/Director of Education Diocese of Belleville |
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Double Your Impact!Many employers offer a matching gift program that can increase the value of your gift to Camp Ondessonk. Some companies also will match charitable contributions given by retirees or spouses and will give up to one year after the donation to request a match.
Click here to find out if your employer has a matching gift program, and to learn how to access the program. |