Send-a-Kid-to-Camp: Camp donor campaign deadline extended to help more kids

Good news for the Press-Telegram’s Send-a-Kid-to-Camp campaign: Readers have matched the $30,000 grant from Frank and Margie Newell — bringing the fundraiser’s total to a generous $131,253.

“We are thrilled that so many members of our community contributed to match our donation,” the Newells said in a joint statement, “which will result in more and more kids enjoying a camp experience this year! We hope that many more will join in donating before the campaign deadline.”

Speaking of the campaign deadline, we’re still short of last year’s record of $166,154. So we are extending the deadline for this year’s campaign one more week, to June 22.

In explaining the extension, Press-Telegram Senior Editor Tom Bray thanked readers for their support since the campaign started on April 27.

“We’ve got a fabulous total so far,” he said in a statement, “but we’re going to push the deadline for one more week to see if we can break last year’s record and send even more kids to camp.”

The Press-Telegram, as well as its sister publication, the Grunion Gazette, once again partnered with the Long Beach Community Foundation for the 26th annual Send-a-Kid-to-Camp campaign. For more than a quarter of a century, generous readers have donated money to help needy youngsters enjoy a week at a camp in nearby mountains run by one of the “Big Five” youth organizations: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, YMCA of Greater Long Beach, Camp Fire Long Beach, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, now known as Scouting America.

Kevin Peterson, chair of the Long Beach Community Foundation’s board of directors, thanked readers for their “incredible generosity” so far.

“Your contributions have made a lasting impact on youths, opening the door to enriching summer experiences for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity,” Peterson said. “Thank you for being part of a community that invests in its youth and believes in the power of kindness and opportunity.”

We invite you to make a contribution to the campaign this year — and make a kid’s dream come true. Keep in mind that costs are increasing (isn’t everything?) and it now takes about $600 on average to send one youngster to an overnight camp for one week.

Bob Colley, who oversees many of  Scouting America’s programs in the Greater Long Beach area as a longtime adult volunteer, said 2025 was an especially “tough year” asking for donations because of the difficult economic times.

“There are many families that need a hand up in today’s world,” he said. “It is heartbreaking at times.”

He sent me the following comments he has received this year from some families seeking financial assistance:

• “My husband is in hospice, and I have been laid off from my job.  Some help in paying for my sons to go to camp would be a blessing.  Thank you.”
• “I’m a single mom, homeschooling and struggling with an illness, so I can’t get a fulltime job. Any help I can get would be appreciated.”
• “My husband was diagnosed with heart failure and had to undergo triple bypass heart surgery.  I am staying at home with our two boys.  Thank you for any help you can give us.”

Colley has been involved with the Scouts since 1992, when he was a Cub Scout leader. He has a grandson, Robin, who started out as a Cub Scout but is now in college and will spend the summer as a Sea Base counselor in Long Beach, in charge of the Cub Scout program.

Colley, 70, said the Scouts’ camping program is “all about kayaking, canoeing, ziplining, target practicing and learning how to work as a team.”

“Oh,” he added, “and spotting the occasional bear!”

He said he believes in the ethical doctrine, “Do what produces the most good for the most people.”

We thank you in advance for taking advantage of the campaign deadline extension and making your donation — to help as many youngsters as possible enjoy the great outdoors.

How to donate

Online: Donations with a credit card via the Long Beach Community Foundation’s website are preferred. Go to longbeachcf.org.

Mail: Send a check with “Send-a-Kid-to-Camp” in the memo, payable to Long Beach Community Foundation, 1 World Trade Center, 8th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90831.

Donations

This week (through June 12): $18,045.50.

Campaign total: $131,253.

Donors:

• Michael and Julie Allen.
• Theresa Bixby.
• Matt and Judy Cullen.
• Rosemary Dagen.
• Alexis Dragony.
• Eleanor Eck.
• Beverly Foster.
• Joseph Grillo.
• Anonymous.
• Monika Harmon and Mark Cangiano.
• In Memory of Howard C. Rile Jr.
• Dolly and Richard Ickler.
• Gene and LeAnn Johnson.
• Nancy Karl.
• Robert and Mary Ellen LaFrance.
• Long Beach Sportsman’s Club.
• Bill and Claire Marmion.
• David McDowell.
• John and Marcia McMullen.
• John and Betsy Metcalfe.
• Braden and Susan Phillips.
• Guillermo Quinones.
• Jody Ramsey.
• Janet Wallech.
• Dianne Wash.
• Walter Werlemann.
• Karen Williams.
• Mr. and Mrs. Apolonio Yson.