June 13, 2008

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Connect

Have you ever paid any attention to the articles written about birth order? Believers, beginning with psychiatrist, Alfred Adler, say that birth order has a profound effect on a person’s personality. I am a “first born.” The message I got from my parents was that I could do anything. I spent decades believing that that meant I had to do everything! At home, at work, and in the community, I raced at breakneck speed giving my all. For years, I didn’t notice that my behavior left little space for others who would have enjoyed “doing their part.” Without actually being aware of it, I was sending a subtle message that others didn’t care as much as I did. I now accept that I can’t do everything and, indeed, it is best that I embrace a group effort. Luckily, in the Rehoboth community, there are many competent, willing volunteers anxious to contribute to the effort.

This year’s Black and White Beach Ball was a fine example of a group effort that worked. Community members contributed money to underwrite a portion of the event’s cost; thirty-one artists contributed work to be auctioned during either the silent or the live auction; and, volunteers assisted in decorating, soliciting contributions, serving as auctioneer and auction assistants, providing entertainment, and staffing the event’s reception tables. The result was an event that everyone could be proud of. For the past week or so, CAMP Rehoboth has been receiving compliments, and thanks for a great eventeverything from the decorations to the art, the food, to how smoothly everything went. As always, we say, “thank you” AND, “We couldn’t have done it without all of the volunteers.”

I need to underscore that last portion of the previous sentence. CAMP Rehoboth’s staff, full and part-time, totals fewer than five people. If it were physically possible for all of us to work 24/7, we still would not be able to accomplish the events that our community expects and enjoys. Event volunteers assist with soliciting, collecting, and cataloging auction items; selling tickets; decorating venues; putting on skits for Follies; organizing golf events; conducting seminars; bartending; providing security; serving as emcee, and staffing the event reception areas. In addition to the event help, CAMP Rehoboth volunteers assist with the day-to-day and periodic tasks of preparing mailings; maintaining databases; watering plants and cleaning the courtyard plus CAMPsafe volunteers help with outreach, testing and website monitoring.

Amazingly, the majority of these great volunteers are also donors to CAMP Rehoboth. They see the needs and make the effort to help with both time and money. Members of the new CAMP Rehoboth Development Advisory Board are the latest examples of community members willing to contribute “time, talent and treasure.” We are truly grateful for their efforts. Through the leadership of several members of the Advisory Board, a total of 16 women have “chipped in” to underwrite an item from the Wish List Angel Level, the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center’s women’s restroom. (Women throughout our community can breathe a sigh of relief!)

If you are one of our wonderful donors and/or volunteers, invite a friend to join you in helping. If you are someone who hasn’t yet agreed to contribute to CAMP Rehoboth, we urgently need your help. There is no better way to feel a part of the Rehoboth Beach community than to pitch in and become a contributing member.

Beth Fitton is Development Director of CAMP Rehoboth. She may be reached at [email protected] or by calling 302-227-5620.

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 07 June 13, 2008