Our summer camp program ends on Friday, August 2nd and no doubt, it will be hard to say goodbye to staff, campers and their families. The time flew by, and all went so well. Swimming, riding horses, touching a snake and/or a turtle, petting a chick and/or a bunny, participating in music therapy, doing exercises, and watching a magic show all took place this summer and so much more!
Throughout the summer, approximately 150 people from our community volunteered as photographers and took pictures of our campers during our summer program. These pictures were then used to create individualized memory books for each camper to take home and share with his/her family. Because families don’t have the opportunity to see their children firsthand engaging in a variety of recreational activities with their peers, these memory books provide those cherished times for all to enjoy throughout the year.
One of the businesses that provided a number of employees to take part in this volunteer opportunity was Heller Capital. They describe themselves as “a boutique private equity firm with a portfolio of companies in diverse industry sectors along with various private placement holdings”.
Heller Capital Group believes in the following statement:
“We exist to positively impact the life of every single person we meet.”
One of the ways in which the employees of Heller Capital Group accomplish this purpose is through the Circle of Hope Foundation.
Circle of Hope Foundation, under the direction of Ruth Clark, is funded by employee and company contributions in order to provide a united focus to improve the quality of life for others. The mission of Circle of Hope Foundation is to extend into communities where our companies are centered, and where employees work and live, as well as working with national organizations that align with our core values.
Along with monetary contributions, employees in Central Pennsylvania are provided two opportunities each year to participate in “hands on” activities with non-profit organizations. Volunteering with Aaron’s Acres was one of these activities! During this summer, (2024) approximately 20 employees from Heller Capital Group volunteered as photographers. Having this ongoing relationship with this group has been a true blessing to everyone involved with our organization. We love that they express an interest every year in being a part of this project. Raising awareness within the larger community is our goal and Heller Capital has helped us meet that goal. For that, we are most grateful.
Several volunteers shared their thoughts about their experience at camp which we have chose to share with our readers. In this way, our larger community can gain a better understanding of who we are and what we do for children and young adults with disabilities. Enjoy reading!
Working with Aaron’s Acres was incredibly impactful. It was so rewarding to spend time with the kids and help capture some awesome memories. I truly wasn’t prepared for how much I would laugh and smile throughout the event. I’d encourage everyone to get involved and do some good!
Volunteering at Aaron’s Acres was a great experience giving back to the community. I personally have not taken too many opportunities to volunteer in my life, so this experience was special to me. Being able to be a part of something that impacts so many lives was a warming feeling.
It was such an amazing experience to be able to volunteer with Aaron’s Acres. I had not previously known about this organization until we went. Being a photographer for the participants gave me the unique experience to really see the benefits and unforgettable moments created by the caring & compassionate staff. Something that stood out to me was the capacity of the organization to provide a 1:1 staff/participant ratio, you could see a true bond of trust being built between each staff/camper.
I think Aaron’s Acres was an excellent choice for a hands-on event. I found this activity and the whole event very rewarding! I loved watching the kids’ excitement and enjoyment as well as learning about Aaron’s Acres and what they do for these kids year-round. I particularly loved how well the kids were matched up with their counselor, both in energy level and personality. I’m looking forward to helping in the future.
Every summer, we recruit over 100 people from the community (from businesses who are committed to allowing their employees to give back and make a difference in the lives of others during the workday, service clubs or individuals who want to just give back) to be a part of this volunteer project. Anyone over the age of 18 can contact us for next summer. (E-mail Kate Mullen, our Director of Development at katemullen@aaronsacres.org or call 717-917-6101, ext. 105). We love having the community join our program and see the many possibilities that occur at camp!
