News from the Mountain Top – December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

News from the Mountain Top

Dear Campers and Camp Supporters:

There is no disputing that this has been a very hard year for most of us. I can hardly wait to see 2020 in my rearview mirror. And I can feel a sense of positive change coming upon us. And I hope you feel it too!

Taking a moment to remind myself of my blessings has helped me to catch my breath and start thinking that good things are on the horizon. I have hope now that the vaccine is finally being distributed. I am thankful for the good work of the fire fighters who saved our Camp, and I am hopeful that the forest will soon start to regenerate itself, making it safe to return to camping on the mountain. I am grateful to all the volunteers who have been up to Camp to help fill and place sandbags, their actions and words have reinforced my belief that de Benneville Pines is heart’s home for so many. And the board and I are deeply thankful for your continued financial support. We are over halfway to our goal of raising $850,000—the money that is needed to keep Camp afloat while we experience an extended shut down due to the COVID crisis and now the El Dorado fire crisis. It is likely we will be closed for many months to come.

I know many of us have been touched by the pandemic in ways that hurt our hearts deeply—loss of work, loss of home, loss of a loved one. As I write this article today, my mother lies in her hospice bed, struggling for every breath, after 15 days in COVID ICU. I am grateful that she is at home with us, and not in a hospital room, away from loved ones. Click here to read more about Janet’s journey with her mom.

I can’t think of a better holiday gift for you than the gift of a beautiful song. I guarantee you will be touched deeply by the words of Memories, performed by the One Voice Children’s Choir.

Please trust in knowing that we all feel hurt and sorrow at times, but we will be okay…hold on…2021 is almost here, and so are new beginnings!

With memories of you in my heart, I send you love from the mountain top this holiday season.

Be safe and stay healthy. I cherish you all.

Janet James

Executive Director

Your Beloved Camp

Upcoming Events

Coming together is the Camp way

No matter where you are, Camp de Benneville Pines keeps you connected with old friends and introduces you to new ones. Keep informed of Camp Connect events on the Camp website. Join us for a virtual Camp experience soon.

Camp Happenings

Giving Tuesday donors rise to the occasion

On December 1st, Camp de Benneville Pines took part in Giving Tuesday for the first time. Nearly two hundred supporters joined the fun of watching the sandbag meter rise to cover the storm behind it. In all, $15,650.00 in donations raised 3130 sandbags.

The next step to protecting Camp from flood and debris flow damage is installing straw bales, silt curtains, and wattles to fend off winter rains.

If you did not have time to participate on Giving Tuesday, you can still contribute to the Raise the Sandbags campaign here. Covering the full cost of sandbags will off-set the expense of the next level of protection.

Campers Say and Do

Your love comes to Camp in many forms

From the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, hand crafting items, and filling sandbags to mini-fundraisers, raking leaves, and the post-fire 2020/2021 Emergency Fund you have joined together to help keep Camp alive and safe. While there is still work to be done, feel proud about what Camp supporters have accomplished this year.

Here is a sampling of what has been realized since March:

Over 100 volunteers worked nearly 1500 hours filling and placing sandbags, raking leaves, trimming trees, and removing debris from around buildings.
Through the spring in summer, volunteers spent 500 hours staining cabin exteriors and decks.
Hundreds more hours were contributed by people who made masks and glass hearts for gifts, held mini-fundraisers, and facilitated virtual events.
The Emergency Fund is over half-way to its $850,000 goal.
$43,000 of the raised money came from people who donated their registration fees after camps were canceled.
Another $10,500 was donated during virtual camps.
The beautiful masks made by our “Mask Fairy” brought in over $3000.
The Love Reaches Camp campaign raised $30,000.
$100,000 came from a generous donor who matched your monetary support of the past few months.

It takes all of you to keep Camp alive. Help make it thrive, too.

Read what donors say about Camp >>>

The Natural World

From the Camp de Benneville family to yours

Wishing you peace, love, joy, and good health through this season and beyond. As we walk this path together, we will protect and lift each other up. Looking forward to seeing you in 2021.

Watch this Video

Be the best YOU that You can be

Smile (and maybe dance a little) as you watch this fun-loving and surprisingly timely video. And remember, you can make a difference in the world.

Here’s to a Happier, Healthier New Year. And a lot more smiles.

Watch the video here >>>

Donate to Camp’s Emergency Fund

Keep the spirit of de Benneville Pines and yoUUr faith alive in your heart.

Camp de Benneville Pines Board of Directors