Camp Fund’s Fundraiser Success Amid Pandemic is Testimony of Humanity at its Core

To be a child is to be free and to unearth the meaning of life.

It is the kind of freedom where one gets to experience the thrill of the world while discovering self-identity. It is the thrill of building a campfire with friends, or a carefree afternoon spent swimming under the summer sun. To be a child is to explore the art of autonomy, to develop self-esteem, to nourish meaningful friendships, and to nurture growth in a safe and true-Torah environment. It is that kind of freedom and autonomy where you get up after faltering—you move forward after the inevitable setback.

If you are reading this, this may remind you fondly of the good old days from a summer camp—where sunshine, laughter, and adventures were never short. It is the same camp where you used to explore and learn more about yourself, the people, and the world around you. This is why The Camp Fund continues to live on its ‘youthful yet purposeful’ advocacy of sending Jewish children to summer camps by organizing fundraising events. They believe that every child deserves to experience the taste of independence and cultivate lifelong skills at an inquisitive stage of their lives. By sending them to summer camps, these children would see the world through a different lens—a glimpse of what adulthood feels like.

On June 13, The Camp Fund, also known as Chasdei Avrohom Eliezer Camp Fund, launched an online fundraiser campaign under the project headline ‘Send a Child to Camp’. The project initiative has attracted generous donors and sponsors all across the globe. While the pandemic scare prevails in a default fashion, partnered camps of The Camp Fund have expressed their sheer joy in continuing their mission to accommodate students and organize camp activities.

The four-day campaign has amassed a staggering amount of $114,285, breaking the original goal of $100,000. Donations were accumulated online through raise-giving program websites, mailed cheques, and even cash deposits. This year, the fundraiser program has sponsored 159 kids and has helped 102 families. With this quantity, The Camp Fund has collaborated with 31 local camps to accommodate the scale, while maintaining social distancing and precautionary arrangements.

“It is definitely worth donating to the fundraising. I know firsthand that they have reached out to somebody last year that didn’t even ask for their assistance and it was very helpful to that family. I’m so proud to make a difference,” Menachem M. Engel, a donor from Brooklyn, Newyork.

Children and parents are among the most thrilled and grateful about the fundraising initiative. For 44 years, The Camp Fund has stood the test of time and has cemented its status as one of the most prolific nonprofit Jewish organizations, based in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1977 as the living legacy of the late Avrohom Eliezer Goldman, Mrs. Leah Lipsker, a preschool professional, was granted a blessing by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson The Lubavitcher Rebbe and to partner and maneuver with Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Pesach שיחיו Goldman, the parents of Avrohom Eliezer Goldman, and champion the organization. That’s how the colorful adventure of strong benevolence started.

Providing exciting and impactful opportunities to Jewish children, The Camp Fund provides monetary compensation as a green ticket for children to join the camp. Not only do the children get to unplug and feel a greater connection to the outside world, the camp also teaches the children to respect and understand each other. When they go home, they bring a pocketful of knowledge, guided wisdom, and a sense of familiarity with davening, learning, and serving HaShem.

Since its establishment, The Camp Fund has sent more than 8,000 children and 2,000 families in partnership with more than 30 camps. Instilling their core principle to support those in financial crisis. The organization prioritizes children raised by single parents and orphans.

After decades of bringing out a positive impact to thousands of beneficiaries, The Camp Fund – under the legacy of Avrohom Eliezer Goldman – continues to celebrate perpetual success and unwavering support.

Imagine a child making new friends, singing and dancing to camp songs, and being confident in themselves as they interact with one another. They feel included. Their participation is acknowledged. They are cheered on and validated. A sense of purpose is breathed upon them. These are what the Chasdei Avrohom Eliezer Camp Fund will continue to uphold – hoping to help more and more aspiring children in the future.

What’s Next for The Camp Fund?

With the goal to send more kids to camp this year, The Camp Fund shows no sign of slowing down. But this time, it’s a win-win situation for lucky donors and beneficiaries! On July 5th, The Camp Fund 18k Raffle kicked off with the same objective of accumulating sponsorships. At the same time, the organization wants to give back to their valuable patrons who’ve been with them through the years. For this particular event, lucky winners can take home $18,000, a trip to Mexico for two, and split the pot cash prize!

You can buy tickets from the website at www.thecampfund.com and be the raffle winner! With the blessing of a healthy and happy summer.