This summer our family will have the privilege to spend a week Camp Rivervale, while they begin a new ministry called Royal Kids Family Camp. Royal Kids Family Camp’s purpose is to take foster children and give them an amazing experience at camp in a positive Christian atmosphere where the love of Christ shines. These kids will come to camp at no cost to them and be filled with love, fun and many great memories. Since these children often are coming out of very abusive and hard environments, every effort is made to ensure they feel safe, comfortable and loved. These students will experience swimming, rock wall climbing, group games, worship, and so much more.
Another highlight of the week will be the big birthday party! Many of these campers will not have experienced a true birthday party so we will have games, giant inflatables, wonderful decorations, cake, and of course presents. Each child will receive a gift, brightly wrapped and ready for them to enjoy.
This week is meaningful for us. We are excited about this as the impact this camp can have on these precious kids is great. Our family will spend the week at Rivervale and Shane and I plan on being stand ins when the counselors will take a much needed break for a few hours each day. While we are there will will also celebrate 4 years of our daughter, Ella being in heaven (July 5). We have taken past years to spend time together as a family on that day. When this opportunity came up for us, we realized it is way to honor her by serving.
Since the birthday party is such a fun part of the week and during the week of Ella’s birthday, our family has committed to sponsoring the event. We love this idea to honor her and celebrate her life, no matter how short it was, by allowing another child to feel loved and special as they are celebrated. We have a goal of providing a party for 30 campers at $72 each. The breakdown of this awesome “ROCK STAR” birthday party is:
Decorations- $140
Food- $250
Inflatables (including an obstacle course and a throne!)- $1,020
Gifts- $750
TOTAL: $2,160
We are writing you to ask if you would consider donating toward this worthy cause. Any funds raised over our goal will go towards the cost of paying for camper expenses and/or scholarships (it costs roughly $500 per camper for this week of camp).
Our family will be donating to the Royal Kids birthday party because we believe in this cause and because we want to celebrate Ella by making a difference in the lives of others. Would you partner with us to honor Ella and share the love of Christ to these campers through their birthday party? Our goal is to have the money raised no later than June 1st, 2016.
All donations are tax deductible.
You may donate by check to the hosting church:
Jacob Finger United Methodist Church/RKFC
139 N. 8th Street
Mitchell, Indiana 47446
(Please include “Ella’s birthday gift” or “Ella Hartman” in the memo line)
Click on “donate online”
Then choose Royal Kids Family Camp @RIvervale as your designation
(Please include “Ella’s birthday gift” or “Ella Hartman” in the comment section)
Thank you in advance, for prayerfully considering supporting Camp Rivervale and Royal Kids Family Camp. We are praying for these campers and what God will do while they are at camp!
Blessings,
Shane, Shannon, Grace, Graham, Gavin and Gage Hartman
