THE FOUNDERS’ MESSAGE
“Courage to Care”
Our “I Am Special” Decade Celebration year is here! We have a full camp season planned by our Trailways Camp Director, Jamie Senkeleski and her new operations and outreach assistant Karan Balmer. It is an exciting time!
Thanks to very special donors who have responded to our highly focused “ReLaunch” Appeal thus far. We are also seeking space on Sanibel as a home base for the Trailways Team. Living and working out of rolling suitcases in multiple locations, and added mileage costs to inefficiently located storage facilities is coming to an end. The Hurricane is over and we are Trail.Ways Forward. If you would like to add your gift for this effort just go to our Give Page and tell us it is for “Relaunch. ”
The Board of Directors has also initiated a Strategic Plan development process so that the entire Team can focus on how much we plan to grow our services for the community in need and in what ways. The Plan will also include how we plan to grow volunteer contributions back to the community– that are now valued at over $29,000 per year. We hope to share the Plan with you during the winter season.
What a wonderful Trailways Camper Reunion gathering we had –packed to the max, joy everywhere, and thankful hearts and hands celebrated. Just wait until the 2025 event day—And the week leading up to it. Stay tuned–visit, and join as a member of our Trailways Camp Group on Facebook to get the latest news, share your thoughts –and plan your availability to join in.
We are seeking volunteers interested in participating on the Board’s Advisory Committee as well as individuals interested in contributing expertise in financial planning, communications, event planning and fundraising. And we are always seeking volunteers for each camp session. We invite you to reach out to us. In the words of one volunteer–I ended up receiving much more than I could give!
Happy Trails,
Sharon & Jerry Miller, Founder
Guess Who Came to the 2024 “I AM SPECIAL”?
Thank you Grampy’s Charities for your continued encouragement and support for Trailways Campers. Jim and Jonatha Castle are supporters of families and those providing caregiving support for adults with special needs. Visit https://www.grampys.org to read more about this amazing team leading an amazing outreach to our community.
Did you know that we have a You Tube Channel? If you subscribe you will always be able to be aware of any new video’s from the Camps or “I AM SPECIAL” events. Just go to You Tube, the handle is @trailwayscamps
EVENT & CAMP HAPPENINGS–Sharing our gifts and talents
Are you ready for our horse experiences?
Thank you Chapel by the Sea for providing a grant to renew and upgrade horse experiences for all campers who come while maintaining care standards for the animals who serve us. New safety helmets in several sizes for those who are without medical restrictions to mount a horse and have a led horse experience. A new Mounting Block. For those who are not able to sit atop a horse, we have Mini Horse Entertainment through Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, and pony hand painting experiences. We are so grateful for this very special donation that will benefits all Trailways Campers.
Benjamin G. Miller “Joyful Spirit” Academy
A tradition that is part of each Trailways Camp Session is the Awards Assembly at which campers themselves are recognized for the gifts they bring, the achievements reached, and the most remarkable character reflections visible during the gathering. This tradition is carried forward to the Annual “I AM SPECIAL” Camper Reunion & Birth Day event. There are four Founders Awards—one of which has been The Birth Day Closest to that of Benjamin Miller. Upon thoughtful and spiritual reflection we made the decision to release this award, and to establish a new award going forward.
Benjamin lived each day as a joyful spirit. Disappointments or frustrations on a day never carried forward to another day. He loved His Lord and loved each person created by Him. Loving others, serving others, participating in relationships with others were at the core of who he was. This new award recognizes these exceptional characteristics in a participating camper. The new award has been presented by the Founders to Julie Lyle, Janee Combee, and Glen Stilley. Anna B., Niki Dondero, Allison Occhionero and Eric Voorheis. Each was officially inducted into the Benjamin G. Miller “Joyful Spirit” Academy at the 2024 Camper Reunion event on April 13. Thank you to each one for the opportunity to celebrate you!