Nov 2, 2009

Category: General

In late April, Tanglewood ran out of scholarship money to help campers attend camp.  The requests for assistance piled up daily.  Letters from parents and grandparents struggling to pay even the lowest fees touched all of us. This wasn’t just the nightly news.  The candid stories we heard about employment, bankruptcy, falling business revenues, unexpected and heavy medical bills, even home losses fueled our determination to help each family.

Sandra Neily, Tanglewood’s incoming Executive Director crafted an appeal letter filled with parent voices and quotes. She wrote “...at Tanglewood we have a “Can Do” attitude. Our University of Maine mission has always been to offer ‘affordable’ nature based experiences for youth and we are determined to do that again this year.  With your help all children who need assistance will attend Tanglewood Camps this summer. No amount is too small to help refill Tanglewood’s scholarship fund...”

During the next few weeks Tanglewood Board members, supporters, parents and friends contributed over $30,000 to the scholarship fund. Individual donations ranged from $5.00 to several thousand dollars. As fast as the funds came in, Tanglewood’s Patti Chapman sent out good news notices to parents.

A generous unexpected bequest from the estate of an area resident put Tanglewood over the amount needed to assist each of our families!  By the end of camp in August, a record 199 campers had received scholarships! When Tanglewood staff added up campers who were also sponsored by our loyal sponsor organizations, the total of assisted campers rose to 272!  Our campers thank you!

“I am blessed to have a experience like this and will save every penny to go again, I had a scholarship this time.  Thank you so much” - Clover

“Thanks so much for giving me the scholarship so that I could attend Tanglewood.  It was an excellent experience and I look forward to returning next summer as an L2.” - Tynesha

"Thanks, all I know is there is one lucky kid out there that you sponsored, so thanks!" - Leadership Camper

"Thanks for supporting Tanglewood! And thank you for everything you do to make this a reality!  You are greatly appreciated!" - Leadership Camper

To help refill our Scholarship funds, click here.