Lend A Hand- Madison Brown/Camp New Dawn 

“To you…from my heart- Madison Brown”

On Monday, August 11th during the closing ceremonies for campers at Hospice’s Camp New Dawn at Camp Pecometh in Centreville. Madison Brown presented all 82 campers with a self designed handmade memory card. Each included inside a group photo commemorating their experience at camp and a note on the back saying “To you…from my heart- Madison Brown”

Following in the altruistic footsteps of her older sister McKinsey, Madison Brown came to her mother Jennifer and requested that she not receive Birthday gifts this year but instead raise monies for Hospice. Madison set up a meeting with Heather Guerieri, Executive Director of Hospice and Kendra Leager, Hospice’s Development Officer to decide where her fundraising efforts would be best directed. She decided on Camp New Dawn. She wanted the monies to go to other children who were experiencing grief. She wanted to make them feel better and assist with their camp experience.

Madison had an “Alice In Wonderland” themed birthday party at St Paul’s Parrish in Centreville and asked for donations in lieu of birthday presents. In addition to the donations from her birthday party, Madison went before the Board at her local American Legion and requested additional funds for the program and they helped her tremendously. In total Madison was able to raise $4050 for the children of Camp New Dawn.

Camp New Dawn takes the essential ingredients of summer camp – fun, food and friendship – and adds activities that help children and teens express what it feels like to lose someone who they love.

Camp New Dawn is a 3-day, two-night retreat for children and teens who are grieving normally after the death of an important loved one. Campers learn healthy coping skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. If you would like to make a donation and help Madison and the Children of Camp New Dawn please contact Kenda Leager,kleager@hospiceofqueenannes.org, 443-262-4106.