Camp Good Days

Camp Good Days to Benefit from Exclusive Preview Opening at Golf Play Café in Fairport!

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Mendon, NY ~ Camp Good Days and Special Times will be the beneficiary of an exclusive preview opening on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at the brand-new Golf Play Café, located at 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Road in the Perinton Square Mall.

This exclusive preview includes a sampling of Golf Play Café's signature dishes and drinks, while guests will have the opportunity to test out their skills with the interactive PGA Golf Simulators and attempt to beat the pro, Doug Hannie.

Two seatings are available on Saturday, January 28, 2012 and tickets are limited. The first seating is from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM and the second seating is from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Tickets to attend this exclusive event are $25.00 per person and can be purchased by contacting Nicole Jones at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or njones@campgooddays.org.

Golf Play Café is the first of its kind. An eatertainment facility that combines a fast casual restaurant, relaxing bar, and the chance to sharpen your game on state-of-the-art, high-definition PGA TOUR® Simulators on one of 52 of the world's most famous, most challenging golf courses, including a selection of TPC courses, a Golf Play Café^? exclusive. It's sure to be great fun for family and friends. Golf Play Café features Golf Play Live, which is an unique service that provides anyone on the internet a near real-time channel into players, leaders and courses of Golf Play Café^? while also providing each player unequalled insight into their own performance for continuous game improvement. It's what will make your Golf Play Café^? experience even more fun and keep you coming back for more.

Project Exile 13th Anniversary Report To The Community

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Rochester, NY ~ The Project Exile Advisory Board, led by Chairman, Gary Mervis, celebrated the 13^thAnniversary of the Project Exile Program being implemented in the Greater Rochester community, at the Project Exile 13^thAnniversary Report to the Community Breakfast this morning, Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel.

The Keynote Speaker for the Project Exile 13^thAnniversary Report to the Communitywas Joseph D'Amico, Superintendent for the New York State Police.

Joseph A. D'Amico was nominated by Governor Andrew Cuomo on December 22, 2010, and was unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate as the 14th Superintendent of the New York State Police on January 31, 2011. Prior to his confirmation as Superintendent, D'Amico served as Chief Investigator for the Office of the New York State Attorney General, where he oversaw and coordinated the efforts of 300 criminal and civil investigators statewide. These investigative units include the Organized Crime Task Force, the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Investigations Bureau. Prior to that, Superintendent D'Amico had a 27-year career with the New York City Police Department, where he served in many patrol and investigative assignments in the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens, ultimately rising to the rank of Deputy Chief. He has commanded numerous high profile and extensive criminal investigations during the course of his NYPD and AG careers.

Among his many assignments with the New York City Police Department, D'Amico served as the Commanding Officer of the Police Commissioner's Real Time Crime Center. He was instrumental in developing a state of the art, 24-hour information and investigative support center to assist Detectives in solving violent crimes right from the scene of the crime. The Crime Center is a first of its kind project in US law enforcement. Prior to this position, he served as the Commanding Officer in the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Manhattan South Detective Operations, Queens North Detective Operations, and Internal Affairs Bureau, Groups 21 and 41. He has also held the positions of Executive Officer in Detective Bureau Manhattan, and in the 43rd and 44th precincts.

Also making remarks at the Project Exile 13^thAnniversary Report to the Community were William Hochul, United States Attorney for the Western District of New York; Sandra Doorley, Assistant Monroe County District Attorney; Patrick O'Flynn, Monroe County Sheriff; William Taylor, Special Counsel for the County of Monroe, and James Sheppard, Chief of the Rochester Police Department.

Project Exile was started in Rochester in 1998, when Mervis was asked to attend a meeting in a Federal Judge's chambers, where he met then Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, Denise O'Donnell. At the time, the Rochester community was desperately searching for a means in which to address the crime and violence plaguing our community, as Rochester's homicide rate was around 70, giving us the distinction of having the highest per capita homicide rate of any city in New York State. In addition, the previous holiday season three uniformed Rochester police officers were shot and wounded, but thank God were not killed. At the meeting, Mervis learned about the highly successful Project Exile program that had been implemented in Richmond, Virginia by an Assistant United States Attorney.

As a result of that meeting, Project Exile was implemented in the Rochester community on September 28, 1998. Project Exile operates under the direction of the Project Exile Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from local, state and federal prosecutors and law enforcement, as well as businesses, clergy, and community organizations and Mervis has been pleased to serve as the Chairman of the Project Exile Advisory Board since its implementation. The Project Exile Advisory Board meets once per month throughout the year, at the Federal Building, to share information and improve communications among those who are waging the battles against illegal guns and drugs in our community.

The Project Exile program has continued to thrive and grow through three administrations; four United States Attorneys for the Western District of New York; two Law Enforcement Liaisons; four FBI Special Agents in Charge; two County Executives; two District Attorneys; two Sheriffs; three Mayors; and four Chiefs of Police.

Under the leadership and direction of Camp Good Days' Partners Against Violence Everywhere (PAVE) Initiative, the Project Exile program in Rochester has been recognized and highlighted at various local, regional and national seminars and conferences; and has served as the impetus for other community-based initiatives such as the Rochester Youth Violence Partnership at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Project T.I.P.S., which stands for Trust, Information, Programs & Services and includes community agencies and law enforcement personnel working in selected neighborhoods to rebuild trust amongst residents and share information.

According to the most recent statistics from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and the Rochester Police Department, over the past 13 years, the Project Exile program has helped to remove more than 13,000 illegal guns from the streets of our community, and the homicide rate has not reached the high levels we saw prior to Project Exile.

"One can only imagine the devastation and despair that could have come as a result of these illegal guns remaining in the hands of those who ought not to have them," says Mervis. "The collaboration and cooperation amongst and between all of the Project Exile partners is truly unique and exemplary and it is because of their continued and diligent efforts that we are able to improve the quality of life for some of our fellow citizens and strive to make the Greater Rochester community a safer place in which to live, work and raise our families."

For more information about the Project Exile Program, getting involved with the Project Exile Advisory Board, the Project T.I.P.S. Program or the PAVE Initiative at Camp Good Days, please contact James McCauley, Jr., PAVE Coordinator at 585-624-5555 or jmccauley@campgooddays.org

GARY MERVIS MEETS WONDU BEKELE FROM ETHIOPIA!

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Gary Mervis (center), Chairman & Founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times, meets with Wondu Bekele (right), General Manager of Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society and Dr. David Korones (left) at the Camp Good Days' Headquarters & Volunteer Training Center in Mendon, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Mendon, NY ~ On Wednesday, June 22, 2011, Gary Mervis, Chairman & Founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times had a surprise visit from Dr. David Korones, Pediatric Oncologist at Golisano Children's Hospital and Board Member at Camp Good Days, and Wondu Bekele, General Manager of Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society.

Mr. Wondu and his wife founded the Mathios Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society, following the death of their four-year old son, Mathios, in 2003. Mathios was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) when he was two-years old and underwent 26 months of intensive care at Black Lion Hospital, the only cancer treating hospital in Ethiopia. The Wondus founded the Mathios Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society as a means to support other families with children diagnosed with cancer.

Mervis and Wondu shared their personal stories, having both lost a child to cancer, as well as their common vision and hope for finding the answers to cancer so that it no longer a leading cause of death to so many across the globe.

Also through the work of Dr. Korones, Camp Good Days is excited to have a young man from Ethiopia registered to participate in the Doing A World Of Good Program this summer. The Doing A World Of Good Program will take place from Monday, July 25, 2011 through Friday, August 5, 2011 at the Camp Good Days' Recreational Facility in Branchport, New York and is an opportunity for campers and chaperones to meet others from the United States and around the world who are facing similar challenges. As with all of the programs provided by Camp Good Days, the Doing A World Of Good Program is offered free of charge for the participants. Since its inception 18 years ago, the Doing A World Of Good Program has included campers and chaperones from 26 foreign countries.

CAMP GOOD DAYS BEGINS SUMMER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN WITH THE SHARING & CARING PROGRAM!

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Monday, June 27, 2011 – Friday, July 1, 2011

Mendon, NY ~ Camp Good Days and Special Times will officially begin their summer residential camping experiences for children, with the Sharing & Caring / Do The Right Thing Program, which will take place from Monday, June 27, 2011 through Friday, July 1, 2011.

The Sharing & Caring / Do The Right Thing program is open to children, ages 8-12, who have lost an immediate family member to homicide or have been recipients of the Rochester Police Department's Do The Right Thing Award during the 2010-2011 school year. The Sharing & Caring / Do The Right Thing program will take place at Camp Good Days' own beautiful Recreational Facility, located on the shores of Keuka Lake in Branchport, New York.

More than 30 children are registered to attend the program and they will arrive at Camp Good Days on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 11:30 AM. They will settle into their cabins and meet the volunteer counselors as well as their fellow campers, have lunch, take their swim tests, and visit the Computer and Arts & Crafts activity areas. On Monday evening, there will be a Prayer Service in the Outdoor Chapel and a ceremonial Camp Fire. On Tuesday, June 28, 2011, the campers will create Cardboard Boats for the Cardboard Boat Race, and be able to participate in Arts & Crafts, Woodworking, Nature, Sports & Games, and more. On Monday evening there will be a Pool Party. On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, the campers will be able to choose from a variety of special activities in the morning including: Cookie Baking, Scuba Lessons, Martial Arts, and Archery. On Wednesday afternoon they will participate in the low elements on the Adventure Ropes Course. Thursday, June 30, 2011 begins with Zumba, followed by a visit from Tony Jordan from the City of Rochester's Department of Recreation and Youth Services. There will be a Carnival on Thursday afternoon, and a Talent Show and Indoor Climbing Wall Party on Thursday night. The campers will conclude their experience at Camp Good Days on Friday, July 1, 2011, departing at 2:00 PM.

The Sharing & Caring Program was developed in response to a paper released by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta in the early nineties, which labeled urban violence as a disease. The paper stated that without targeted intervention, young people affected by violence stood a very good chance of becoming victims or perpetrators themselves. Violence was perpetuating violence and the cycle needed to be broken. Through participation in the Sharing & Caring Program, children learn how to deal with their feelings of loss and grief and how to respond to those feelings using their mind and thought processes rather than acting out and dealing with the consequences later.

The Do the Right Thing residential camping experience is a joint effort between the Camp Good Days' Partners Against Violence Everywhere (PAVE) Initiative and the Rochester Police Department. These participants have already demonstrated the initiative to make the right choices and the focus of the program is to help them further develop their leadership skills to enable them to become pro-active and productive members of their respective communities.

As with all of Camp Good Days' programs and services, there is no charge for the participants to attend the Sharing & Caring / Do The Right Thing Program. Camp Good Days does not charge participants to attend any of the programs or services, so as not to place any additional financial burden on those served. Funding for the many programs and services at Camp Good Days is provided through the generosity of so many individuals, businesses, and organizations, as well as successful special fundraising events held throughout the year.

For more information about the Sharing & Caring / Do The Right Thing Program, please contact James McCauley, Jr. at Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135 or jmccauley@campgooddays.org..

28th Annual Tournament of Love a Great Success!

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mendon, NY ~ The 28^th Annual Tournament of Love Golf Scramble, held on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford was a tremendous success raising more than $40,000.00, which will be used to refurbish, renovate and resurface the basketball courts at the Camp Good Days' Recreational Facility, in honor of Tournament of Love Chairman, John "The Gov" Gilmore. The Camp Good Days' beautiful Recreational Facility is located on the shores of Keuka Lake in Branchport, New York and is where all of the residential camping programs take place, for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges.

Once again this year, for the final time "The Gov" served as the Tournament of Love Chairman and joining him as Honorary Chairman was John Calipari, Men's Head Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky. Blessed with a beautiful day on a beautiful course, the full field of golfers and celebrities came together to honor and celebrate "The Gov" and to raise funds to help support Camp Good Days.

"The Gov's longstanding commitment to the children and families at Camp Good Days is so very much appreciated," says Gary Mervis, Chairman & Founder of Camp Good Days. "We are so pleased that he was able to serve as Tournament of Love Chairman for one more year and that so many of his friends and family were able to be a part of this very special day."

Calipari was phenomenal in his support for "The Gov", and for Camp Good Days' latest initiative, CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE. Calipari pledged his support of CANCER MISSION 2020 by signing the Petition, joining the initiative in a call for a collaborative and comprehensive approach to bringing the fight against cancer to the forefront of our nation's attention and agenda and in finally finding the answers to this dreadful disease that claims the lives of 11,000 Americans every single week.

Joining "The Gov" and Calipari were other celebrities from the world of sports including: Steve Christie, former Buffalo Bills All-Pro Place Kicker; Jeff Bostic, former NFL Player with the Washington Redskins; Rod Baker, Head Coach of the Rochester Razor Sharks; Chip Lohmiller, former All-Pro Kicker with the Washington Redskins; Dereck Whittenburg, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Fordham University; Eddie Biedenbach, Head Men's Basketball Coach at UNC-Ashville, and many others.

Major sponsors for the 28^th Annual Tournament of Love included Tompkins Insurance Agencies, Inc., Canandaigua National Bank & Trust; Torvec, Inc; SPS Medical; King Graphic Communications, LLC; as well as 30 Hole Sponsors, and 80 businesses and organizations that donated gifts and auction items.

As a special highlight during the dinner program, Erin Conway, Chair and Kayla Valentino, Vice-Chair of the 29^th Annual Dance for Love, which was held this past February at St. John Fisher College, presented Mervis with a check for $45,937.85.


Danielle Allington (left), Kayla Valentino, and Erin Conway from St. John Fisher College's Dance for Love, present Camp Good Days' Chairman & Founder, Gary Mervis, with a check from the 29th Annual Dance for Love, held at St. John Fisher College this past February.	John Calipari (right), Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky and Honorary Chairman & Founder for the 28th Annual Tournament of Love, demonstrates his support of CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE, by signing the Cancer Mission 2020 Petition, with Gary Mervis, Chairman & Founder of Camp Good Days.

Friends gather to support John "The Gov" Gilmore and Camp Good Days, at the 28th Annual Tournament of Love. Pictured left to right: Tournament of Love Chairman, John "The Gov" Gilmore, Camp Good Days' Chairman & Founder, Gary Mervis, Police Chief for the City of Rochester, James Sheppard, former NFL player with the Washington Redskins, Jeff Bostic, and Tournament of Love Honorary Chairman and Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky, John Calipari.

BUFFALO POLICE OFFICER TO BICYCLE TO ALBANY TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH AND AWARENESS

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Officer lost his 16 yr. old nephew to cancer in January

Buffalo, NY - 11,000 Americans die from cancer every week. Last year, 1.5 million people were diagnosed with cancer – over 10,000 of them were children. One out of every two males and one out of every three females will be affected by cancer in their lifetime.

These are scary facts, yet the last time cancer was at the forefront of this nation was in 1971 when President Nixon declared war on cancer and signed the National Cancer Act.

Joe Szafranski is trying to change that. Starting on June 11th, he will begin a bicycle trip that will take him from Buffalo, NY to Albany, NY and back. Szafranski, a Buffalo Police Officer and New York State National Guard Staff Sergeant, lost his 16 year old nephew to cancer this past January and he is turning some of that pain and anger into action.

"I am riding not only for my nephew, Jimmy, but for every person that has had to deal with a cancer diagnosis," declared Szafranski, "Cancer does not discriminate. It affects all of us. This is OUR cause."

Szafranski hopes to do more than just turn heads as he makes the long bike trek. He hopes to raise money to help Cancer Mission 2020: The End of Cancer by the End of the Decade. "It's a far reaching goal to end cancer in 9 years, but we have got to start somewhere."

Gary Mervis, Camp Good Days' (a nonprofit that helps children with cancer) Founder, began Cancer Mission 2020 last year, "When my daughter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 1979, there were three forms of treatment: cutting, burning and poisoning," said Mervis, "In over 30 years, treatment options have not changed."

The purpose of Cancer Mission 2020 is to build awareness and create a call to action to ensure collaboration and coordinated effort between public and private sectors in cancer research. It isn't about the money, it's about how the money is spent. Mervis added, "I've biked for a cure, I've run for a cure, I've eaten for a cure, I have even bought a little pink blender for the cure…where's the cure?!"

If you would like to see cancer once again on this nation's forefront, you can join Cancer Mission 2020: www.CancerMission2020.com– all you need to do is add your name to our petition. If you would like to donate to help Szafranski's Ride 4 Cancer visit: www.Ride4Cancer2020.com. Funds collected will go directly to Camp Good Days, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer. "Jimmy loved Camp Good Days," said Szafranski through tears, "I want to help the organization that so greatly helped our family, while at the same time raising awareness that the current status of cancer research has got to change." Szafranksi will be in Syracuse on 6/12, Albany on 6/14, Utica on 6/15, Rochester on 6/17 and finish in Buffalo on 6/18.

Cancer Mission 2020 Announces Progress and Updates!

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mendon, NY ~ CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE launched on December 2, 2010 and since that time a number of exciting activities have taken place, paving the way for a comprehensive, cohesive, collaborative way in which we will finally find the answers that have been eluding us in the war on cancer.

On Friday, April 1, 2011, the CANCER MISSION 2020 website, www.cancermission2020.com, re-launched and features a very clean, simple, user-friendly, and easy-to-navigate format. Visitors will find startling information about where we currently stand in the United States in our fight against cancer and are asked to join the CANCER MISSION 2020 effort, to end cancer by the end of the decade, by signing the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition. CANCER MISSION 2020 is the movement to build awareness and create a call to action, to ensure collaboration and a coordinated effort between public and private sectors in cancer research. Those who sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition are joining, as concerned citizens who urge our nation's leaders to act now to reevaluate where we stand in our fight against cancer and to make finding a cure for cancer, by the end of the decade, a top priority.

Where we currently stand in the fight against cancer is appalling: 11,000 thousand Americans die from cancer every week – the equivalent of one of the Twin Towers falling every single day; cancer is the leading cause of death of you are 85 years old or younger; One in every three women and one in every two men will face a cancer diagnosis at some point in their life; cancer treatment options have not changed in the past 40 years – the options are we can cut you, burn you, or poison you.

"This is not acceptable," says Gary Mervis, Chairman & Founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times and the driving force and leader of the CANCER MISSION 2020 effort. "We can no longer depend on others to do what needs to be done. We all need to become advocates for ending cancer by the end of the decade. If we don't do something here in the United States, cancer will be the leading cause of death, regardless of age, by the year 2016. We are now in the position that it is not a matter of 'if' but just a matter of 'when' we ourselves or someone we love will have to battle this horrible disease, and those battling cancer do not live in a vacuum – they are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and as in my case, they are our children. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. It is time to do something different and actually obtain different results!"

In addition to signing the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition on www.cancermission2020.com, visitors may also opt to provide additional information to become more involved with the effort. CANCER MISSION 2020 is seeking college students to serve as CANCER MISSION 2020 College Campus Advocates. To date, advocates from the following colleges and universities are already on board: St. John Fisher College, University of Rochester, John Carroll University, University at Buffalo, Hilbert College, Finger Lakes Community College, Utah Valley University, Keuka College, Niagara University and SUNY Oswego.

CANCER MISSION 2020 is also collaborating with the American Cancer Society and students at colleges and universities around the country to have information and CANCER MISSION 2020 Petitions available at many of the Relay for Life events. To date, CANCER MISSION 2020 will have a presence at the following Relay for Life events: St. John Fisher College, University of Maryland, Valporaiso University, University of Charlotte, Purdue University, Syracuse University, Duke University, Penn State University, University of Georgia, Clemson University, John Carroll University, Cornell University, and Vanderbilt University.

Anyone interested in learning more about how to join the CANCER MISSION 2020 effort as a CANCER MISSION 2020 College Campus Advocates or through the Relay for Life events is encouraged to check out www.cancermission2020.comor to contact Mark Antonucci at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or mantonucci@campgooddays.org.

Twenty-eight government, community, business, medical, and media representatives have generously given their support, time and talent to film short video segments for CANCER MISSION 2020, which can be found at www.cancermission2020.com. These supporters include: Louise Slaughter, United States Congresswoman; Tom Reed, United States Congressman; Robert Duffy, New York State Lieutenant Governor; James Alesi, New York State Senator; Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive; Michael Green, Monroe County District Attorney; Cheryl Dinolfo, Monroe County Clerk; Jeff Adair, Monroe County Legislature President; Elaine Spaull, Rochester City Council Vice President; Sandra Doorley, Monroe County Assistant District Attorney; David Koon, former New York State Assemblyman; Richard Constantino, MD, Rochester General Hospital; Louis Constine, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center; David Korones, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center; Arnold Klinsky, former General Manager, NEWS10NBC; Rich Funke, Anchor, NEWS10NBC; Ginny Ryan, Anchor, 13WHAM TV; John Kucko, Sports Director, WROC TV-8/FOX Rochester; Brother Wease, Morning Show Host, 95.1 The Fox and cancer survivor; Greg Smith, President of Jay Advertising and cancer survivor; Peter Parts, Owner, Peter Parts Electronics and cancer survivor; Soccer Sam Fantauzzo, Owner, Salvatore's Pizza; Bishop Gregory Parris, Pastor, Church of Love Faith Center; Shari Hall Smith, cancer survivor; Dan Mason, General Manager, Rochester Red Wings; Rod Baker, Head Coach, Rochester Razor Sharks; Iris Zimmermann, medal-winning Olympic Fencer; and Bill Sedgewick, Assistant Coach, Rochester Rhinos.

Through the ongoing efforts and diligent work of a Strategy Committee, CANCER MISSION 2020 has garnered the support of the Monroe County Medical Society, which sent out CANCER MISSION 2020 Posters to their entire network of members, as well as included an article about the CANCER MISSION 2020 efforts in their recent editions of The Bulletin and Doctor's Advice. The United Way of Greater Rochester is supporting CANCER MISSION 2020 through social media via facebook and twitter as well as through their advocacy efforts, which can be found at http://www.uwrochester.org/uwdb/advocate.

Meetings and presentations about CANCER MISSION 2020 have taken place with the Rochester Area Tipsters Society; Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and are also being scheduled with Wilmot Cancer Center, the AARP in Washington, DC and the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC. Anyone interested in learning more about CANCER MISSION 2020 through having a meeting or presentation should contact Laura Osborn at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or losborn@campgooddays.org.

One of the original goals for CANCER MISSION 2020 was to begin scheduling a number of Congressional Cancer Summits throughout Upstate New York and around the country, to culminate with a National Cancer Summit in Washington, DC. The 28^thCongressional Cancer Summit, with Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has been scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2011 to be held at a location to be determined in the Western New York area. The 29^thCongressional Cancer Summit, with Congressman Tom Reed has been scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2011 at the Camp Good Days' Recreational Facility, which is centrally located within the 29^thCongressional District in Branchport, New York. Congressman Reed is in the process of reaching out to all of his Congressional colleagues to share information about CANCER MISSION 2020 and the Congressional Cancer Summits. Additional Cancer Summits in other Congressional Districts will be announced as plans are finalized. Anyone who would like more information about becoming involved with and / or attending a Congressional Cancer Summit can contact Laura Osborn at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or losborn@campgooddays.org.

In addition to www.cancermission2020.com, there is a CANCER MISSION Facebook page, www.Facebook.com, search Cancer Mission 2020, CANCER MISSION 2020 Twitter account, www.Twitter.com/EndCancer2020 and CANCER MISSION 2020 YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/user/CancerMission2020, so that people can stay up-to-date through the various social media networks available to them.

CAMP GOOD DAYS TO HONOR VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS AT A NIGHT OF GRATITUDE!

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

Teddi Award Recipients & Ring of Honor Inductees To Be Recognized
Friday, March 11, 2011 – Rochester Plaza Hotel

Purchse Your Ticket Online

Mendon, NY ~ Camp Good Days and Special Times will honor and recognize the Teddi Award Recipients and Ring of Honor Inductees at A Night of Gratitude, to be held on Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel, 70 State Street, Downtown Rochester. A Night of Gratitude will begin with a Social Gathering at 6:00 PM, followed by the Dinner and Ceremony at 6:45 PM. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Terry Clifford of The BEE Morning Coffee Club on 92.5 WBEE.

The Ring of Honor was established as part of Camp Good Days' 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2004 and includes those who are selected for their outstanding dedication, commitment and support of the thousands of children and families served over the years. In addition to their award, inductee's names will be included in the permanent Ring of Honor display, which is located at the Camp Good Days' Recreational Facility, in Branchport, NY, for all to see. The inductees for the Ring of Honor, being recognized at A Night of Gratitude are:

Richard Barry, Syracuse, NY
Bill Coleman, Canandaigua, NY (posthumously)
Colleen Collins, Clarence, NY
Conesus Lake Riders, Conesus, NY
Ray Dinno, North Tonawanda, NY
Soccer Sam Fantauzzo, Webster, NY
Ron Federico, Honeoye Falls, NY
Dorothy & Michael Giardino, Penfield, NY
Janet & David Male, East Amherst, NY
Laurie Mark, Webster, NY
Karna & Michael Palermo, Irondequoit, NY
Perry's Ice Cream, Akron, NY
Rochester Raging Rhinos, Rochester, NY
Christine & James Root, Liverpool, NY
The Soprano Family, Webster, NY
Joyce & Larry Trippodo, Greece, NY
Variety Club of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Ingrid Wander, Fairport, NY
Judy Zdep, Baldwinsville, NY

The Teddi Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by Camp Good Days to those who have gone above and beyond in the past year (2010), in helping to fulfill the mission of improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. The recipients of the Teddi Award are:

Aquinas Institute Student Athletes, Rochester, NY
Suzanne Badgley, Tonawanda, NY
Jean Bartholomew, Gates, NY
John Catalano, Rochester, NY
Clear Channel Radio, Rochester, NY
Colleen Coster, Chicago, IL
Darien Lake, Darien Center, NY
Kensy Family / Elma Conservation Club, Elma, NY
Deb Gollus, Fairport, NY
Kimberley & Michael Guerrein, Fairport, NY
Aimee Hammond, Liverpool, NY
Lorraine Hems, Irondequoit, NY
Tony Martin Awards, Buffalo, NY
Val Migliore, Pittsford, NY
Scott Pitoniak, Penfield, NY
Rochester Razor Sharks, Rochester, NY
Donna Scheid, Prattsburgh, NY
Time Warner Sports Network, Rochester, NY

A Night of Gratitude is open to the public and tickets to attend this special event are $30.00 per person. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Laura Osborn at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or losborn@campgooddays.org or Purchased Online. All ticket reservations must be made no later than Friday, February 25, 2011.

Download An Electronic Version Of Our Latest Newsletter

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Attention!

In our efforts to save on postage and natural resources, our newsletter, The Special Times, will be distributed electronically from now on. Our future plans call for an e-newsletter specifically designed for internet and e-mail distribution.

Please click on the link below. to download our latest newsletter which is in pdf format.

Download the latest issue of The Special Times now (2.68mb)

Road Rally To Benefit Camp Good Days

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Camp Good Days and Special Times will benefit from a road rally that will end at our Branchport Recreational Facility on Keuka Lake. Over the past two years, car owners have rallied down to Branchport and gave the campers a treat with all of the great looking cars! Anyone who would like to participate in the rally should follow the directions in the flyer below.

Help Pave the Way for Future Good Days & Special Times!

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

In the last 30 years, Camp Good Days and Special Times has been the guiding light in the lives of children and families whose world has been interrupted by cancer, as well as other life challenges. Now is your chance to help support the magic and spirit that is Camp Good Days, by becoming a permanent part of our beautiful Recreational Facility located in Branchport, NY on the shores of Keuka Lake. Purchase a brick, with your personal inscription emblazoned upon its surface and you will be helping to provide good days and special times for the future!

Donor Levels:

Individual Brick Paver: Purchase a 4" x 8" tribute brick for $100. Your brick will be personalized with your grout -filled message of up to three lines with a maximum of 16 characters per line.
Family Brick Paver: Purchase an 8" x 8" tribute brick for $250. Your brick will be personalized with your grout -filled message of up to six lines with a maximum 16 characters per line.
Corporate Brick Paver: Purchase an 8" x 8" tribute brick for $350. Your brick will be personalized with your grout -filled Company Logo and message of up to two lines with a maximum of 16 characters per line.

*Note: a character equals a letter, number, punctuation mark, and/or a space

For more information on purchasing a commemorative brick, contact Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555, 800-785-2135

Riverfront Auto Sales Helps Camp Good Days with Momma's Kids

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Momma Pecoraro, along with the entire family at Riverfront Auto Sales, are very caring and want to help kids who are not so fortunate. So they created a charity event called "Momma's Kids"

Each and every time someone buys a pre-owned vehicle at Riverfront Auto Sales, they will donate $50 towards the kids at Camp Good Days and Special Times.

The dealership is located at 1379 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY. buyers can call 716-866-1626 or vist them on the web at http://www.riverfrontautosales.com/

Young Adult Program - Special Times For All!

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

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In the summer of 2007, Camp Good Days held the first Young Adult Retreat, for those 18-29 dealing with cancer. Camp Good Days saw that there was a need for reaching this population as oftentimes they fall between the cracks. They are too young to be grouped with adult oncology participants and too old to be placed within the childhood cancer segment. With this in mind, Camp Good Days decided to offer a program specifically geared towards those young adults dealing with cancer, with activities and programs that would benefit them in terms of the issues and challenges they were facing. The goal of the Young Adult Program was to provide the participants an opportunity to be in a beautiful and safe environment, with the only people in the world who truly understand what they are going through…other young adults with cancer.

The Young Adult Retreat was an overnight camping experience that was held at Camp Good Days' Recreational Facility, located on the shores of Keuka Lake in Branchport, New York. A group of young adults from as far away as Minnesota, spent their time at Camp Good Days getting to know one another and participating in activities and discussions centered around issues pertinent to their age bracket, such as entering the workforce; health insurance; relationships and other social factors; college transitions; and the rights of advocates for cancer patients. They also had the opportunity to take part in a stress reduction workshop, as well as a camp fire and coffee house.

The inaugural Young Adult Retreat was an overwhelming success. "It's nice just to talk with people who have been through what you've been through," says one participant. Another participant says, "I'm 21 and I have cancer…this is definitely a great opportunity. It's just a way to get away and be normal for the weekend."

This past January, Camp Good Days invited some of these young adults to join younger campers on the Annual Florida Trip, during which Camp Good Days takes a group of campers to Central Florida to visit the many theme parks and attractions. During this trip, the group visited Daytona International Speedway; the ocean; Universal Studios; and Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.

Over the weekend of June 13-15, 2008, Camp Good Days again offered the Young Adult Program, this year as a full weekend program. As with all of Camp Good Days' programs and services, there is no charge for the participants to attend the program. Camp Good Days does not charge participants to attend any of the programs or services, so as not to place any additional financial burden on those served. Funding for the many programs and services is provided through the generosity of so many individuals, businesses, and organizations, as well as successful special fundraising events held throughout the year.

This year's Young Adult Program included activities such as Arts & Crafts; Adventure Ropes Course and Indoor Climbing Wall; Coffee House; Boating & Aquatics; and Seminars and Workshops regarding topics of interest to the participants.

Previous Young Adult Program participants were asked to complete an online survey regarding their thoughts and suggestions for program frequency, themes, workshops, and guest speakers. 81.8% of survey respondents indicated they would like to have two residential camping retreats at Camp Good Days during the year. 100% of respondents were most interested in Adventure themed programs and Rest & Relaxation themed programs. Top selections for year-round activities and events included: Sporting Events; Concerts; Dinner Groups; and Practical Workshops.

"We are all so thrilled that the Young Adult Program was such a great success last year," says Mervis. "Our program staff worked hard to make this year's residential camping experience even better and incorporated many of the suggestions from our survey, to make this program as useful and beneficial as possible for the participants."

Anyone interested in obtaining more information about the Young Adult Program at Camp Good Days, or any of the various programs or services; learning about Volunteer Opportunities; or making a tax deductible donation, should contact the Camp Good Days' Headquarters at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135 or email

Please Also Visit These Sites

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

New York State Senator Jim Alesi has been a long time supporter of the programs and the families that are served by Camp Good Days. www.SenatorAlesi.com

KOA Campgrounds have long since been sponsors of camps for children and adults with cancer and Camp Good Days and Special Times. www.koa.com

Each year the New York Academy Of Dance in Rochester, NY puts on a dance recital with their students that benefits Camp Good Days. www.nyadance.com