Rotary Club - Index

Rotary Club - Deal - Index

THE REAL DEAL 6 September 2008
Horsing Around in Conemaugh
On August 23 & 24 the Rotary Club of Conemaugh
participated in the Greater Johnstown Saddle Club‟s
annual horse show benefitting the Windber Hospice.
This non-profit hospice – the only one in the area – was
started 31 years ago by Dr Earl Shope. The Rotarians
man the kitchen for this two day event. In addition to the
money they raise through their hard work, they are also
the biggest sponsor with a $2,000 cash donation. Last
year‟s event netted $15,000 and the goal this year is
$17,000. For more information about Windber Hospice,
Left to Right: Carol Harding; President of the RC of
Conemaugh Frankie Bock, Director of Volunteer Services
at Windber Hospice, Frankie the Quarter Horse and
handler Anthony Urban, DG Mary Berge, Peggy
Lichtenfels, RC of Conemaugh
please visit: www.windbercare.com/hospice.asp
Exchange Student Jonathan Olesen from Denmark
helping out in the Kitchen
CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP
ROTARY CLUB HELPS OUT
AT CAMP PARC
Camp PARC (People Always Responding with
Compassion) is a camp for mentally and physically
challenged individuals ranging in age from early teens to
age 85. It is held for a week in July at Laurel Hill State
Park Campground 8. This year it was held the last week
of July. Next year, 2009, will mark the 50th anniversary
of Camp PARC.
During the week, high school and college age individuals
are paired up with one or two campers. They eat, sleep
and participate in all the activities together. On
Thursday night, the campers and counselors put on a
program to show the public what their week was about.
There is a campfire every evening. This year there were
one hundred and one campers, sixty to seventy Junior
counselors and twenty-five to thirty-five Senior
counselors. On Friday evening, the last evening, there
is a carnival set up for the campers. This year there
were fifty to sixty food and game booths. The campfire
on Friday night serves as a closing ceremony. It is very
touching as the campers are usually sad to leave.
For the past several years, The Conemaugh Township
Rotary has volunteered on Friday evening, the last day,
to help with the carnival and run some of the game
booths. This year there were six Rotarians and spouses
who participated. Some were old hands at the carnival,
and, for others, it was their first time. We are always
touched by how wonderful the campers and the
counselors are. Doug McIlwain was especially
impressed with the singing at the campfire. President
Carol was leaping for joy with the leap frog basket game!
We are looking forward to helping Camp PARC
celebrate fifty years of service next year!