Youngsters benefit in many ways from camp experience

Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 | 4:25 a.m.

A mother says her two young sons need a positive male role model. Their father has a substance abuse problem and "pops in and out of their lives whenever it's convenient for him."

"He has not provided either of my sons with a positive influence and they both hurt in different ways due to that," the mother says.

She says her sons talk about fishing and camping, and would enjoy such an experience.

Another mother of three says her husband left the family earlier this year. They had not heard from him and he has stopped paying child support.

The mother is doing what she can to keep the family together, but she can only work part time because of her middle son's special needs. She says he has a place to attend because of his special needs, but her other son and daughter "are always left out of the loop." She says they would benefit from camp and the exciting things they could do there.

Sometimes simple things, such as toasting marshmallows and singing around the campfire and spending time around camp counselors who are positive role models are the memories that a child will carry with her through the rest of her life.

By joining contributors to the Las Vegas Sun Camp Fund you are making a difference in a child's life.

Some recent contributors:

Frank and Wanda Tirimacco; Henry Stodola; Edward and Kathy Guenther; Timothy and Lori Lemaster; Archibald C. and Frances F. Rufty Foundation; Patrick Fiedeke; Joyce Pearson; Reba Saiger "In honor of Eileen and George Brookman's anniversary"; Kathy and Bill Poma "In memory of Kerri Ann Poma"; and John Babcock.

Donna R. Burrows and Dusty Burrows; Kim J. Chelos; Russell and Maxine Church; Mitchell and Shirley Fox; Gladys and Anthony Giralo; Jesse and Ruby Harrison; Anne T. Jones and Connie King; Darryl and Sherron Kulwin; and North Las Vegas Memorial Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10047, Ladies Auxiliary.

Lori McCormack; Robert R. Radykowski; Patricia and Thomas Ross; Don and Otilia Gail Scott; Shapin Family Trust; Fred and Carolyn Smith; June C. Sughrue; Alice Wilcoxen "In memory of Dana"; Carol Wittig, Michael Wittig and Patricia Roberts; and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

E.C. Armbruster; Caesars Palace; Roger and Helen Hall; Housing Authority, Clark County; Donald R. Hughes and Theresia Hughes; Gloria D. Jellissen; Salvatore and Janice Lopresti Family; Marshall Management Co. (dba Marshall Rousso); John and Joyce McCandless; and Mary Morgan.

Judy L. Trent Family "In memory of Christine Suzanne Doubek"; Variety of Southern Nevada Inc.; Jan and Rex Taylor "In memory of Hank Greenspun"; Irish American Club; Frances E. Milne; Barbara A. Hopewell; Gabriel and Danielle Emmett; and Jeffrey Swartwout.

Gale and Lillian Felton; Donald and Iverna Bacon; Nemorio and Marie Baltazar; Brad Lee and Dominique Carlson; Kayo Y. Maekawa; Vera L. Horning; Lenny and Joanne Tanchala; Velva B. Weiss Family Trust; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Evans; and Terry and Rosemary Banich.

Delores M. Olson, Robert and Toni Fahnestock, Ronald and Marian Hill; Dr. John and Lois Ayers; Bea Johnson; Christina Babcock; and Sun City Screen and Door.

Donald and Anne Reck; Howard Hughes Properties Inc.; Thomas Snezeck; Ross P. Richards Trust; Danford & Kymberly Afong; Harry and Josephine Born; Gloria DePaola Jellissen; and Barbara L. Schmidt.