President’s View by Chris Beagle
Now More Than Ever
I
t’s difficult to grasp all that has happened in the last month. None of us thought we’d live to see a day like today, a day where Zoom and FaceTime have become household words and where “corona” references a whole lot more than a simple beer. More importantly, we’re now living days where fear and uncertainty are challenging everything we’ve known to be “normal.” Many of us in the CAMP Rehoboth family have been excited for some time about celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2020. While that has taken a distant back seat to where we find ourselves today, I know we will weather this storm—as a community—and will be able to mark that milestone somewhere down the road. In times of triumph and tragedy, CAMP Rehoboth has served as the galvanizing presence that pulls so many of us together in this community. On June 26, 2013, when the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was overturned by the US Supreme Court, the community turned to CAMP Rehoboth to gather and celebrate. Conversely, just hours after the horrific Pulse Nightclub massacre on June 12, 2016, CAMP Rehoboth leaders organized a memorial vigil in our courtyard, and hundreds of individuals, clergy, and
elected officials gathered to mourn and grieve together. We have always been a community that takes care of each other, through good times and bad. But where we find ourselves now is different. We are all concerned about what lies ahead and the extent to which this unprecedented crisis will impact our organization that we have worked so hard to sustain. Led by Executive Director David Mariner, staff and board members are coming up with ways to work together to assess and strategize any and all means of navigating CAMP Rehoboth through these unchartered territories. We are researching and pursuing various sources of emergency funding, many of which are aimed specifically at assisting non-profits to manage and survive the crisis. Health & Wellness Program Director Sal Seeley has worked diligently to adjust our programming and services to offer virtual options allowing individuals to “attend” from home. In some cases, we are reaching even more people than before. Turning lemons into lemonade. Now more than ever, I find great comfort knowing we have such dedicated staff and a board determined to guide the CAMP Rehoboth ship through this unimaginable storm.
Finally, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard statements similar to this: “Rehoboth wouldn’t be the community it is today, if not for the good work of CAMP Rehoboth.” Accolades like that are a source of great pride for the staff, board, and co-founder Murray Archibald, but the sad reality is we just don’t know what lies ahead in the coming weeks and months. In recognition of this, our 30th anniversary, I encourage all who are reading this to consider a contribution, of any kind, to help assure not only our ability to continue our programs and services, but also our ability to sustain this amazing and beautiful organization. I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine a Rehoboth Beach without a CAMP Rehoboth. If you find yourself in need, please reach out to us. Email us at stayinghome@camprehoboth.com. We are here for you and will do our very best to help. Be well and please stay healthy. ▼ Chris Beagle is president of the CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors and is a realtor at Berkshire-Hathaway-Gallo Realty in Rehoboth Beach. He can be reached at christopherbeagle1@gmail.com
We’re in this together. Your support is critical. Every donation helps. Letters 10 APRIL 17, 2020
