Photo Credits: Camp For All
Camp For All, a local not-for-profit and barrier-free camp, hosted its annual Washington County fundraiser virtually for the first time, holding A Night With the Stars on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
Camp For All works in partnership with more than 65 other not-for-profit organizations to enrich the lives of children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs — as well as their families. Funds raised throughout the evening will enable campers to attend Camp For All with little to no cost and will also be used to help recover from more than $2 million in losses due to the pandemic.
Starting off unlike any other gala, the evening opened with President and CEO, Pat Sorrells, ziplining and dropping down from the ceiling right onto the White Oak Music Hall stage. Open to the public, the fundraiser was streamed online and consisted of engaging, pre-taped segments as well as a live portion featuring Sorrells, Camp Friends Board President Kyle Merten, and Auctioneer Rusty Mertink.
This year’s gala co-chairs, Katie Alford, Mindy Merten, and Jenny Schaer, addressed viewers from the Camp For All Treehouse, a popular camp location for children and adults alike. They were excited to bring their glamorous vision, albeit a little different than originally imagined, to life to raise funds for Camp For All. As educators (Schaer and Merten) and healthcare professionals (Alford), this year’s co-chairs have plenty of first-hand experience navigating the demands and adjustments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s gala honored Michelle and Jonathan Zschech along with corporate community leader Seidel Schroeder — who has been supporting Camp For All and raising awareness about the mission all over Brenham. Together, these honorees have given the gift of Camp For All to thousands of campers. This year’s virtual format allowed for a touching tribute to the honorees, featuring heartfelt words from their friends and family on their generosity and spirit.
Camp For All welcomed Washington County residents of over thirty years, the LaSagna family, as special speakers during the gala. The LaSagna family — Robyn, Phil, and their daughter McKenzie — have been part of the Camp For All family for fifteen years, coming with the Spina Bifida Association of Houston.
“The fact that Camp For All is right here in Washington County has been a huge blessing for us…. It’s one week a year that is heaven for her and for everybody,” says Robyn La Sagna on her daughter’s Camp For All experience. "This is her happy place; this is Kenzie’s Disney because she is able to do all things here."
“While this year’s gala was unconventional, the glitz and glam of our Brenham gala came to life on the screen,” says Sorrells. "Both our long-time supporters as well as new faces came together to raise critical funds to keep our gates open to all of our campers."
Supporters, both old and new, rallied together to raise nearly $220,000 to provide Camp For All with much needed financial support by purchasing raffle tickets, bidding on items (such as vacations to Texas getaways including Concan, Austin and Port O'Connor), and giving monetary gifts. To top off the night’s successes, the evening finished with special guests right on the White Oak Music Hall stage, Camp For All residents Glitter and Peter Pan, two miniature horses who helped the auctioneer.
To learn more about Camp For All, visit campforall.org or contact Dami Akande at dami@likemindstalk.com.
Courtesy of Camp for All