generosity abounds...

One month from today is the start of camp. We are completely full for the summer - with a growing waiting list. Staff will be moving in at the end of the month and putting together what may just be our best season yet out at Nan-Ke-Rafe!

As with any great effort, it 'takes a village' and Dream Day is no exception. Our list of tasks to be done seems infinitely long and our resources certainly challenged in this time of economic uncertainly and yet, generosity abounds.

Emails continue to come in from individuals expressing an interest in volunteering at camp. Service groups including Americorps Cape Cod, NStar, and Kiwanis of the Lower Cape have participated in camp clean up days: painting, raking, cleaning and more! Americorps sent a sent of five members last Friday - and in just over six hours, this team cleared camp trails and pathways making them more accessible - particularly important for those campers with mobility concerns.

Click here to see more about how Kiwanis of the Lower Cape is supporting Dream Day. For the second year in a row, they sponsor cabin #2 and have donated the cost of bringing a family to Camp Nan-Ke-Rafe. The group has become a loyal friend to our organization - coming out on even the cold and rainy days to clean up and spruce up - and we are truly grateful.

What has become an enjoyable tradition for both us and them, NStar employees have been coming to camp each spring for years now. Today, this energetic and fun-loving group worked through constant rain drizzle to put in all the waterfront docks, clean out and seal staff cabins, continue clearing walkways, repair window screens, and more!

Certain groups have made significant donations in recent weeks. An upscale home goods consignment shop in Chatham, At Home Again, held a yardsale and donated proceeds totaling $2800 to Dream Day! Incredible!

The Brewster Police Relief Association held the first annual Run for the Hills 3.3 mile run a few weeks ago - organized in Dream Day's honor - donating all proceeds to us. Unbelievable! And a fun day to boot -- looking forward to seeing how this race will grow through the years.

The students of the Station Avenue Elementary School in South Yarmouth participated in a triathlon: running, reading, and doing laps - all in support of Dream Day. They sought their own sponsors and collected nearly $3000!!! One student even donated her tooth fairy money :)

In the coming weeks, Chatham-Nauset Lions Club members will be out at camp to spruce up their cabin - cabin #3. The Yarmouth Moose Lodge has also committed to adopting a cabin and will be out to tidy up theirs, readying it for the season.

We still have plenty of items to be checked off on our big 'ol camp to-do list. If you have the time, interest, and ability, we could use your help! We'll be painting, planting, cleaning, organizing and more in the coming weeks. We would love you to join us.

In the meantime, we will remain grateful for each and every effort, energy, and intention. We can't wait to camp to start and we look forward to bringing a ray of sunshine into the lives of the special families we serve. Big summer ahead. We can't wait...