2018/19 de Boulle Magazine

CAMP SWEENEY WHERE STRANGERS BECOME FRIENDS & FRIENDSHIPS LAST FOREVER

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e Boulle is a proud supporter of Camp Sweeney, a program for children with Type 1 Diabetes. “Our goal goes beyond provid- ing our customers with the finest

Sweeney is regarded as one of the largest and most effec- tive diabetes education facilities in the world and serves over 1,000 children every summer. For some campers in the Texas Foster Care System, Camp Sweeney is their only consistent family. Operating a medical childcare

retail ex- per i ence possible. We are also com- m i t t e d

facility is extremely costly, about $4,500,000 per year. While some campers are able to pay tuition, Camp Sweeney provides finan- cial aid to approximately 86% of campers. No camper has ever been turned away due to the in- ability to pay. In 2012, the Sweethearts for Sweeney gala began as a collab- oration between Denis and Kar- en Boulle and close friend David Genever-Watling, who identified the need to provide scholarships for underprivileged children to attend Camp Sweeney. Today, the gala takes place just before the winter holidays under the mon- iker ‘Gift of Sweeney’ and raises more than $200,000 each year to fund special scholarships for chil- dren with extraordinary circum- stances. Since 2012, de Boulle has helped raise more than $1,100,000

to supporting and participating in our wonderful community,” says Denis Boulle. A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes changes the life of a child forev- er. Days filled with school, sports, and activities are quickly replaced by blood tests, insulin injections, and carbohydrate calculations. Every step required to manage di- abetes is a step away from what children see as “normal”. But at Camp Sweeney, Type 1 diabetes is normal. And when diabetes dis- appears, every camper can show what makes them special, not what makes them different. Camp Sweeney makes the prac- tice of good diabetic control nor-

mal, so every child is on a level playing field and no longer feels that diabetes makes them different. Campers are giv- en opportunities to succeed and once they begin to achieve their goals at camp, they develop confidence in their own talents and abilities. It encourage campers to seek the good in themselves and each other, so they place value in virtue rather than the venial attractions of the world. As camp- ers support one another over the course of a session, they build friendships that are based in service – friendships they can count on long past the end of the summer. Since 1950, Camp Sweeney has provided a positive turn- ing point in the lives of more than 35,000 children. Camp

for Camp Sweeney. “Camp Sweeney provides financial assistance to any campers who cannot pay, but sometimes even this is not enough for children to attend camp,” said Dr. Ernie Fer- nandez, Camp Sweeney’s volunteer Camp Director. “The Gift of Sweeney event at de Boulle allows us to bridge the gap for our families in greatest need.” To meet this need, donors fund camper scholarships and purchase raffle tickets for exciting items including a Men’s Rolex Watch provided by de Boulle. To learn more about Camp Sweeney or to help a child with Type 1 diabetes, visit CampSweeney.org

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