Help Us Make Summer Memories

What’s your favorite summer memory?

I will never forget mine. For the last two weeks of July during my childhood, my grandparents rented a cottage on Campbell Lake outside of Hesperia. I looked forward to the trip all year long.

The family memories will always stay with me. The jingle in my pockets when my Dad would hand me nickels and dimes for the candy bar machine and the soda pop machine, the rainy days we would spend at the fun house or playing board games, and the first time my Grandfather taught me how to use his boat.

Then one day, I went into town to do that classic 16 year old girl activity: look for boys. Little did I know Hesperia, MI and that sunny day would change my life. I met my husband Paul that day. In my office, I have a framed postcard from Campbell Lake that I pull down every now and then when I need a moment of peace and quiet reflection.

For many of the children D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s serves, my summer experience is a dream. Many have never seen Lake Michigan, been on a boat, or had the simple pleasure of a quiet beach and a good book.

That’s why this summer we are asking for your help. With your support the children and families we serve can have a memorable summer like I did. Here’s a list of some of the things we would like to do:

• Soccer and Baseball Camps
• Whitecaps Baseball Games
• Beach Outings
• Camping Trips to Hoffmaster State Park
• Horseback Riding
• Cedar Point Trip
• Shedd’s Aquarium
• Fishing at Dean Lake
• Mackinaw Island Trip

If you would like to help make this summer memorable for some pretty great kids, click here: http://www.dabsj.org/give-now.

Summer memories can last a lifetime. Maybe, because of your help, in 45 years one of our children will place a postcard of their favorite summertime memory in their office.

Thanks for sharing in my summer memories,

Sharon Loughridge

Executive Director, D.A. Blodgett - St. John's