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friends held a benefit dinner for an eight-year-old who’d been struck by leukemia. Last Tuesday, Jessie was reunited with a host of her pals — large and small - from the county. Giggling and tanned, her blonde curls as shiney as her big blue eyes, she couldn’t stop talking about “her” camp.
By music time, 85 kids were ready to boogie, dressed in outrageous punk costumes, in gold lame, black leather and pink feathers ..rouged, ringed, bangled, glittered and greased. A few were on crutches, a few were supported on the arms of counselors and staff. A few had scarves tied around their heads, a few were bald and beautiful in the fading sunlight. They were rowdy, happy children all set to party. They were hopeful children, despite the nasty trick their bodies had played. They were fantastic kids, and fantastic kids never give up.
It was a special moment when Camp Director John Dooley led his young charges in a big “How! How!” for the Rappahannock folks, and a moment even more special when Mr. Dooley promised another night for the county next year. With the assistance of the 4-H Center and the National Institute of Health, Special Love puts on Camp Fantastic. Fantastic kids deserve special love, and Rappahannock County should continue to be a part of that special love.
Four years ago, Special Love began with one Camp Fantastic session during the summer. The program has now expanded to include spring and fall family weekends, a weekend for young adults with cancer, trips to Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium for an Oriole’s game, trips to amusement parks and other outings. And still there’s not room for everyone who wants to participate. So next summer, plans call for two-week long summer sessions, a major expense that will require raising an additional $50,000. Contributions are needed to ensure that every child with cancer may have a fantastic week. To help, send tax deductible contributions to Special Love/Camp Fantastic in care of John Dooley at the Northern Virginia U-H Education Center, Box 1101, Front Royal, Va. 22636.
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