Pocono News Section

Camelbeach Resort Donates Thousands to Charity

Camelbeach Resort Donates Thousands to Charity - Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 3:22PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Dec 1, 2009 @ 03:22pm EST
POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - Summer fun helped raise funds for charity at Camelbeach Water Park. President Art Berry said, "Giving can be fun and we had a lot of fun giving this year."

The water park hosted five special charity events over the summer. On Tuesday managers presented checks to the good causes.

Operation Military Kids got more than $6,000. It will go toward a camp for kids who last a parent to war. Susan Smith is a project coordinator for the organization. She said, "This is going a long way in helping us support that camp. Otherwise I don't think we could have supported it with the funds we had."

The Sherman Theater took home more than $8,000. It will help with renovations and community theater programs. Steve Sheptak is Vice Chairman at the theater. He said, "Money is tough to come by these days so this was a great partnership with Camelback/Camelbeach."

The Lupus Foundation got more than $6,000 to help fight Lupus in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Director of Development Michael Neff explained, "It's very similar to arthritis, swelling of joints, it can be unfortunately fatal."

Pocono Medical Center will use its $5,700 donations to teach people about trauma prevention. Larissa McNeill is the Trauma Prevention Manager at Pocono Medical Center. She said, "The only actual cure for trauma is prevention."

Womens Resources of Monroe County got $4,000. It will use that money to help shelter victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Director Jennifer Grube said, "We can provide counseling services, play therapy, counseling for children."

Berry summed it up, "It was a great opportunity for Camelbeach to give back to the community in a fun environment."

This summer the resort also gave money to groups like the Boy Scouts, The Ronald McDonald House and the Trooper Joshua Miller Foundation. In all Berry said Camelback gave away $190,000 in cash and services.