Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease)
June 16, 2009 - Summer camp just became more fun for foster care children thanks to a local volunteer support group. Hillsides Guild sponsored the Bartlett Cup, the annual Bridge and Bunco Tournaments that raises funds for summer camp activities for foster care children at Hillsides, a Pasadena charity.
“The Bartlett Cup is a successful fundraiser in large part due to Sylvia Bartlett who started it so many years ago and has continued to insure that the tradition carries on,” said Cathy Brennan, Guild president”. As long as we can keep it going, I know there will always be great support.”
Summer camp for foster care children starts the day the school year is over from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hillsides staff keep the children and youth challenged throughout the summer with activities that help them relax, refresh and heal. For many children who suffer from severe emotional disturbances, summer activities and outings detract from feelings of anxiety, depression, and abandonment.
“Mother Nature is healing to children who have experienced trauma in their childhoods. Giving them outdoors experiences during the summer is extremely therapeutic, relaxing, and calming,” said Laura Kelso, the charity’s director of community resources. “Funds from the Bartlett Cup will help Hillsides provide summer activities that are therapeutic for our kids.”
Participants of the Bartlett Cup played bridge and bunco at the Arcadia home of Anita Peralaz, followed by a savory lunch catered by Kim’s Katering also of Arcadia.
Winners of the coveted prizes for the Bartlett Cup Bridge Tournament were: Sylvia Bartlett, first place; Donna Bailey, second place; Pat McSweeney, third place; and Ruth Cooper, fourth place. Bunco winners were: Cathy Brennan, first place; Annalie Ackroyd, second place; Nancy Garni, third place; and Joanne Lester, fourth place.
To learn more about the foster care children’s charity or the volunteer group, Hillsides Guild, visit www.Hillsides.org.
To learn how you can help with the foster care charity’s Summer Camp program, call Kelso at (323) 254-2274.
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