| A Note from the Founder / CEO |
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 Margot Anderson Founder / CEO April 2010 Spring brings with it rejuvenation, growth and the expectation of starting new. This year we believe will be a year of growth, bringing with it many new ideas and programs. While the economic crisis is still very much affecting Camp Laurel, our dedicated team (staff, volunteers, board and donors) are ready to work hard to serve even more children, youth and families living with HIV/AIDS than ever before. This year we will be focusing on creating more partnerships with local HIV/AIDS service providers, who, like us, have had budget cuts, resulting in the elimination or combining of programs. By working together we will be able to create new programs at half the cost and serve more kids. That is GROWTH! Speaking of growth, yesterday, a past camper and Apollo Award recipient, Grissel, visited the Camp Laurel office. Grissel attended our first camp in 1994. She was 7 years old. Now she is 23. As with all the campers, she had a wisdom that was far beyond her years. This is a poem she wrote that first year. “Don’t give up hope because you don’t know how long you’re going to live. You might live for a thousand years. Always live your life happy. Don’t stay in bed just because you are sick. It doesn’t mean you have to moan and groan the whole day. Every day is new, so you should never give up hope.” - Grissel. 7 years old Today I reflect on Grissel’s poem. I realize she lives her life just as she described at age 7. A graduate from UCSB and is now doing her Masters at USC in Social Work. Grissel never gave up hope and is planning on living for a thousand years, happy. Grissel told me during her recent visit that Camp Laurel was the most important thing in her life. Camp had helped her through struggles as a child that she never thought she could get through. Camp Laurel gave her that strength to believe in herself and to build a life that was productive and successful. She now is a volunteer with Camp Laurel, working to make sure other kids like her are given the same opportunity to experience the wonders of life. Thank you to all our many volunteers, donors, board members and staff, who over the years have helped thousands of children and youth just like Grissel overcome the adversity of living with HIV/AIDS. Because of you, these children will become successful adults believing that they too can live for a thousand years … happy. THANK YOU. So here is to Spring. May it help us all to realize our potential, serve others with our strength, and GROW. Happy Camping,  |
