A Newtown Township nonprofit will benefit after Middletown Township’s Summer Recreation Program campers raised money through their annual charity car wash.
The fundraiser this year benefited Newtown Township-based Fostering Hope of Lower Bucks, a volunteer-led nonprofit that provides necessities and extras to children in foster care throughout the community.
Camp site supervisor Carol Garner presented the $2,175 check to Sarah Burstein, a representative from the organization, during the August Middletown Township Board of Supervisors meeting.
“Who knew the idea and a penny could make a difference in the world,” Garner said. “But it clearly has.”
The fundraising tradition began with Garner placing a single penny in small treasure chests that campers decorated as a craft project. She told the children they had the power to make that penny grow through various activities like looking through coat pockets, doing extra chores, and holding bake sales or garage sales.
“I told them that they had the power to make that penny grow,” Garner explained.
The program started small and collected $50 in its first year for the SPCA and $100 the second year for the American Red Cross.
When other site supervisors Nicole Tener and Jenna Degner asked to join the effort, the three summer camp locations collaborated on the car wash fundraiser.
The car wash has grown over the years.
The program collected over $1,000 for the Ronald McDonald House, then $1,500 for the Sunshine Foundation, which helped send one girl and her family to Florida.
Last year marked the first donation to Fostering Hope Lower Bucks, totaling $2,000.
Over the winter, the organization invited camp staff to visit their resource closet to see how the donation helped and to learn more about their mission.
“We were impressed by their efforts and we decided to donate to them again this year,” Garner said.
Representatives from Fostering Hope visited each campsite to explain foster care to the campers and show how their fundraising efforts make a difference.
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Burstein thanked the township and Parks and Recreation Department, staff and campers for their support.
“For the second year in a row, your car wash and donations have gone above and beyond, helping us provide not just the necessities families need, but also the little extras that really bring joy to these kids,” Burstein said.
As a completely volunteer-led nonprofit, every dollar donated goes directly to families and children in their care, Burstein explained. The funds help provide car seats, diapers, baby gear, clothing, toiletries, school supplies and larger items like beds and dressers. The organization also uses donations for birthday and graduation gifts.
“When children see how many people in their own community care enough to chip in help them, it sends a really powerful message,” Burstein said. “They’re not forgotten and they’re not alone in what they’re going through.”
Garner hopes the fundraising tradition will continue beyond her time as summer camp site supervisor.
“It is my hope that when the day comes and I’m no longer the site supervisor, that these young campers will always remember this lesson that kindness does matter and it is contagious,” she said.
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