Tucson Region

Funds may send extra 180 kids to camp

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.28.2008

Thanks to generous Star readers, we have surpassed our original goal and hope to send as many as 900 children to overnight camp before the camping season is over.

Our original goal was 720 sponsored children. This year, 1,427 donations totaling $231,294 have been tallied. Any additional money we raise before school starts will help us pay for those children.

Send a Kid to Camp raises money so children from low- income households can go to YMCA, Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps, and to Camp Courage burn camp.

Last year, this mission was expanded to send children whose parents or guardians are in the military to the local camps for free.

Since 1947, the Sportsmen's Fund, with the support of Star readers, has raised money to help pay for more than 32,000 children to go to camp.

The Sportsmen's Fund is one of the oldest 501(c)(3) charities in Southern Arizona. At least 97 cents of every dollar spent goes to send children to camp.

Your contribution is tax- deductible and qualifies with the state of Arizona for the working-poor charitable tax credit of up to $400.

Donations include:

Abe and Barbara Aragon, in memory of Abe Aragon Sr., $50.

Jeannette and Hubert Austin, in memory of Curt Marcotte, $50.

Glenn Bacon, $50.

Marie and Harry Cornelius, in memory of Harry Cornelius Jr., $50.

Lois Davidson, in memory of Teddy Ray, $100.

Lynda and Warren Ferrell, in memory of Staci Ferrell, $200.

Lyle Frohberg, $50.

Norma Garza, $100.

Shirley Hewson, in honor of Dr. Lawrence Osborn, $25.

llinois Tool Works-match donation from John Karpan, $150.