The annual Founder’s Day Celebration for Camp Virginia Jaycee, a non-profit organization that provides a recreational and educational experience for individuals with autism or an intellectual disability, was held on Saturday, April 25.
While the morning showers may have impacted the number of attendees, it didn’t dampen the joy that was visible on the faces of all the campers, parents and volunteers that attended to participate in carnival games, arts & crafts, tours and the 1st Annual Duck Race.
The evening activities included a meeting of the Bluefield State College Alumni, a Silent Auction & Reception and the annual Founder’s dinner with record attendance.
“It is a privilege to witness people from all walks of life, all age ranges and all varied backgrounds come together to serve others,” says Tom King, chairman of the Board of Directors, “Our annual Founder’s Day Celebration continues to grow each year and the funds generated allow us to sponsor numerous campers each year. We are so grateful to the hundreds of volunteers and donors for all their support.”
Annually, Camp Virginia Jaycees provides a free event to the public to introduce families, group homes and donors to the wonders of Camp Virginia Jaycee. Tours are provided as well as one-on-one meetings with Camp Director Dr. Shirley O’Brien to answer questions about attending camp. Visitors are provided free games, activities and lunch is available for a donation. The first annual duck race was a huge success raising funds for camper scholarships and the added rain provided an amazing finish!
Dr. Marsha Krotseng, president of Bluefield State College, arrived midday to meet with CVJ Founder Dr. William B. Robertson and more than 20 members of Bluefield State College alumni association. This historic gathering brought together the past and the future. She brought the members up to date on her 10 year program centered around academics and building programs. Bluefield State College is the birth place to Camp Virginia Jaycee, with one small act of kindness placing Robertson on a path to serve others.
The evening kicked off with a silent auction and reception that allowed for guests to personally meet Dr. Robertson. The 2015 celebration was one-of-a-kind, as 10 of the 33 President’s Volunteer Service award recipients were recognized for their service to the Camp during the summer of 2014.
Dr. Marsha Krotseng shared the inspiring story of the founder’s humble beginnings at Bluefield State College and the impact he continues to make bringing inner-city youth to visit each summer and show them the possibilities of their future. In her inspirational address, she told the group how Mr. Robertson came to the college at the age of 17 and found he didn’t have enough money to enroll. He was on his way back home to Roanoke when the then President, Dr. H. L. Dickerson, intervened, and, saw to it that Robertson was enrolled with the money he had and gave him a job in order for him to pay the remainder. Robertson went on to earn 2 degrees at Bluefield.
Because of this act of kindness by the President, and the training he received at the college, Robertson was motivated to community service and the founding of Camp Virginia Jaycee is directly related to this. Dr. Krotseng stressed the concept of the Power of One.
Prestigious Jaycees, Lewis Walker, Jay Buston and Dennis Kunheman, from the original Apple Jelly Sunday shared their memories of that legendary day in 1967 selling 17 cents jar of Apple Jelly for $1 to raise $68,000 to form Camp Virginia Jaycee.
Finally, after much anticipation the Founder Bill Robertson enters the room in full attire white top, white tails, red bowtie – and shares adventures of more than 45 years ago.
More than 45,000 individuals with autism or an intellectual disability have been impacted. Funds generated for Camp Virginia Jaycee sponsor those without the means to attend. For more information visit www.campvajc.org.
