Friends of CdC - 

Penny Lane here for a team breath. (pause for deep breathing :) 

We all need it. Each of us is working through a new set of challenges, and life gets more demanding every day: mentally, physically, and emotionally. Camp del Corazon faces these challenges with you. We were unable to have our Gala del Sol fundraiser in April and even more incredibly, for the first time in 26 years, we were unable to hold our summer camp sessions on Catalina island. 

While the realities of COVID have been harsh for CdC, they have not been defeating. Our community rallied for our Gala del Sol-cial Distancing, helping us to stay afloat amidst a sea of unknowns. In the early months of the stay-at-home order we sprang into action and created “Casa del Corazon,” a campaign of online content such as Zooms and live streams for our families,  so they could connect with their friends and favorite counselors during a very isolated time, and experience some camp comfort. 

  As summer approached and it became clear that an in-person camp program would be impossible, our largely volunteer team came together to create “Camp 2.0,” a virtual camp experience. Each camper received a camp-in-a-box filled with activity supplies and camp swag to accompany 9 straight days of camp fun! We served over 150 campers with the help of nearly 100 camp volunteers. It was a tremendous experience, and we’re proud to have been able to continue to serve children with heart disease this summer. 

As we enter fall the beat goes on, as do restrictions around COVID. Therefore our fall fundraiser, the Family Festival, is also going virtual. Instead of meeting in person on October 24th for a 5k, we are inviting participants to create their own 30 day challenge. I’ll be running 30 miles in 30 days, but the important part is not what I’m doing, but what Camp del Corazon is doing. 

Heart disease continues to affect the lives of 1 in 100 children born each day. Our mission remains as important as ever. In a time where heart disease might be second on their list of major hurdles, the families of those affected by heart disease need the services and community support provided by Camp del Corazon more than ever. Help us continue to serve. We know that there are a lot of demands on your time, energy, and money these days. Give what you can, and know that your money makes a BIG difference in the lives of these children. 

Thank you this moment of your time. I know it is precious. Team Breath. 

In community, 

Chrissie Endler (Penny Lane) 

Executive Director 

Camp del Corazon