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Kids with cancer are told every day that their cancer diagnosis
means they cant. At Camp Ooch, they can. Camp Oochigeas wants to
ensure that the magic and transformational power of Ooch is
accessible to more kids than ever before. Your donation this
holiday season will restore hope and positively impact healing
while giving kids with cancer what they need most the chance to be
a kid.
Issue 2 Volume 20 Winter 2015
Friends of OochigeasA camp supporting children affected by
childhood cancer
The printing of this newsletter was generously donated by RR
Donnelley
Camp Oochigeas, 464 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S6t:
416.961.6624 f: 416.961.2267 e: [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
MEET AN OOCH DONOR
GIVE THE GIFT OF CAMP THIS
HOLIDAY SEASON
ooch.org
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Program Spotlight: 450 Cups Filled at Ooch Muskoka
Nobody judges you at Camp
Ooch, they only care for you, and
inspire you,
Marie, Camper Age 12
Each summer a song is written that integrates a special theme
that reflects on the Camp experience. And each year our amazing
campers, volunteers and dedicated medical staff sing that song with
passion and pride. They sing it for the first time as 450 returning
and new counsellors gather for volunteer training. It continues as
the foundation of every campfire, dining hall experience and, on
occasion, if you listen closely you can hear it being sung as a
lullaby of comfort. For the summer of 2015 the theme of this summer
song was Fill My Cup.
The reality is many of our campers arrive at Camp and their cups
have been emptied by the hardships of paediatric cancer. Days and
weeks away from school due to hospital visits and treatment can
take kids away from friendship and fun. At Ooch, we aim to give
campers as many opportunities to fill their cups with positive
experiences that they can draw on when the going gets tough outside
of Camp.
With a record-breaking 444 campers at Residential Camp, 59
campers at Day Camp, 147 families attending Family Programs, 57
campers attending Urban Ooch Programs at Ooch Downtown and 2508
camper experiences happening through our In-Hospital Program, this
past summer there were many cups to fill. And they filled them!
Campers filled their cups with friendship, confidence, new
experiences, life-long memories, silly songs, laughter and joy.
They filled their cups on out-trips, climbing the rock-wall,
swimming in Lake Donner, catching frogs, on the giant swing, at
Polar Bear Dip and even quietly playing cards.
Making these moments happen where kids with and affected by
childhood cancer filled their cups is only made possible by
incredible donors like you. Because of your generosity hundreds of
campers and their families cups are overflowing with friendship and
fun.
Campers reach new heights and build confidence on the rock
wall.
He was able to be a kid, not a cancer kid, just a kid. You gave
me a gift. Thank you, Melissa, Ooch Parent
Fill my cupGonna celebrate,
every day and night
When were all together, itll be alright
Take these moments, everywhere you go
Lets fill our cup, and let it overflow.
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Len Lessers mantra is What goes around comes around.
I am a firm believer that what goes around, comes around, says
Len Lesser. I have a distinct feeling that I am blessed. I look for
opportunities to give back to those who are in need.
Lessers gifts to Camp Ooch have continued since 2006.
I give gifts to Oochigeas to say thank-you and to recognize
those who have taken the time to be of assistance to me, my wife
and my family.
Lesser has never attended an Ooch program or met the campers and
families. He is however deeply convicted by the cause: the value of
giving to young people afflicted with cancer what they need most
the chance to be a child. We all pray that childhood cancer will
soon disappear, but for now we are all fortunate to have Camp
Oochigeas lending a comforting hand to those in need. Ooch changes
lives and quite simply that is why I give.
Theres no place like Ooch on earth,
David, Ooch Volunteer
Meet Len, a Camp Ooch Donor
Recently Ooch volunteer Marley Cooper received the PwC Canada
CEO Communities Award in honour of her volunteer commitment to Ooch
Muskoka and Ooch Downtown. This award recognizes individuals and
teams who achieve outstanding results and who are role models of
the firms values.
To honour Marleys commitment, PwC donated $10,000 to support
sending kids with cancer to Camp Ooch!
Volunteer Spotlight
Spread the Magic of Ooch this holiday season!
For $25 receive 25 holiday cards to send to your family and
friends. Email [email protected] to place your order by
December 4th.
Marley, second from the left and her cabin mates.
Ooch is not just a camp, it is a home, it
is family,
Jason, Camper Age 17
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It doesn ' t know the difference between powd er and
packing . I t can' t make a spy hole, a turret, or even
a wall . I t wouldn't know how to name it, or begin to
defend i t . And i t def in i te l y c an ' t s tock i t w
ith
enough snowba l l s . C ancer c an ' t make snowforts .
BUT WITH YOUR HELP, KIDS CAN.
CANCER CANT MAKESNOW FORTS
IN FACT, A DONATION TO CAMP OOCH CAN HELP KIDS BUILD A LOT OF
THINGS:
Lifelong memories from 2 weeks at camp $3500Lasting friendships
from a week at Ooch $1750 An adventurer's spirit from a weekend at
camp $500A bigger imagination from a full day of magic $250A
stronger support system from a half day at Ooch $125
Donate today at Ooch.org and help a kid with cancer just be a
kid again.