Mistreated child would benefit from opportunity to attend camp

Friday, June 14, 2002 | 5:15 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: June 15, 2002

Some children who apply for Sun camperships have not known what it's like to be a child.

Five children who were mistreated by their mother were "neglected and and abused beyond imagination." The father and stepmother fought a long hard battle to get custody of the children and provide a loving home.

One of the children, an 11-year-old girl, "does not know what it's like to be a little girl and not someone's slave or punching bag," her father says.

The girl is doing well now that she is away from her mother. She and her siblings need an opportunity to go to camp and to do things children enjoy. "They need to have a normal life and deserve a chance to go to camp," their father says.

Other children who receive camperships are mentally and physically challenged.

The single mother of a 12-year-old mentally challenged girl describes her as the most loving and helpful child. The girl's father left when she was 6, and she doesn't understand why he doesn't want to be involved in her life.

The girl is enrolled in a special education class and has worked very hard to develop her reading skills to a first grade level.

"Camp would be a wonderful reward and experience for her that she would not be able to have otherwise," her mother says. "It would put a sparkle in her eye and a bounce in her step."

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:

Michael and Sheila Rooney; Robert E. and Carolyn Barrett; Roger and Helen Wall; Kenneth and Mary Ann Sokol; Lewis D. Harvey; Edward and Illian Gering; Robert and Patricia Tanicola; Doyne J. and Elsie L. Carson; Sylvia and Bernard Gross; and Beulah J. Johnson.

Annette Deangelo; Constantino D. Prezioso; Carol and Richard Betke; Lavergne Uzarski; Joyce Gallina; Marilyn T. Krug; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rubinstein; Patricia Eastley; Albert and Mary Barrett; and Faith L. White.

James and Darlene DeCanio; Nicole Argetsinger; Paula C. Savina; James R. Barker; Richard and Deborah Huber; Leonard and Josephine Tanchala; Patrick E. Fiedeke; Robert and Betty Nessiage; Irish American Club of Las Vegas; and William and Doris Boyer.

Betty and Robert Ragan; Joseph and Mary Jean De Meo; Patricia and L.W. Lappin; Katharine Irwin; Charlotte Hill; G.R. and Stella Beatty; Joy R. Schott; Charles and Raeleta Bishop; James and Mary Lou Paulk; and R.L. Vick.