On Wednesday, May 25, Tamarack Camps gathered at Temple Israel for its annual event, Send a Kid to Tamarack. The evening celebrated the legacy of the Fresh Air Society and honored community leaders, Sue and Alan J. Kaufman, and distinguished camp alumna, Rachel Grey Ellis.
The bedrock of Tamarack’s mission is the belief that every child should have the opportunity to experience Jewish summer camp and its many benefits, regardless of financial ability. Since 2009, the Send a Kid to Tamarack event has raised funds for financial scholarship assistance and camper fee subsidies to keep programs affordable and accessible. This year’s event was the most successful fundraiser to date, raising nearly $700,000—thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors, individual donors and in-kind support. The event was co-chaired by Dr. Barbara Kappy and Maddi Ishbia Luckoff, with honorary co-chairs, Lisa Lis, Susie Pappas and Mallory Shiffman.
In addition to recognizing the positive impact that camp has made over the last 12 decades, the event marked an important milestone in the agency’s history: its 120th anniversary! Tamarack Camps was started by the Fresh Air Society, which, in 1902, responded to the needs of immigrant children in Detroit by providing healthy, nourishing meals and visits to Belle Isle to spend valuable time in the fresh air.
The evening’s theme, L’dor V’dor, highlighted the importance of passing important values along from one generation to the next. Surrounded by several generations of camp alumni, lay leaders and supporters—and alongside the families and friends of the event honorees, Sue and Alan J. Kaufman and Rachel Grey Ellis—Tamarack renewed its commitment to providing a nurturing place for future Jewish leaders to learn and grow.
L’dor V’dor, and here’s to 120 more! To learn more about the Send a Kid to Tamarack annual campaign, please visit: https://tamarackcamps.com/giving/send-a-kid-to-tamarack/
Feature photo: Tamarack Camps staff
