UPDATE:  WE DID IT! We raised the first $500,000 of our Capital CAMPaign to be able to close on the property purchase! We now own the property we have called home for the past 77 years! Even as we celebrate this milestone together, please remember that we’re never “done” raising funds for Camp Millhouse. We still rely on your financial support to help make repairs to our buildings, to rebuild our healthcare center, to add to our programs and facilities and to continue to support our campers and their families. This very special place is here for our campers, year after year, because of the generosity of our donors. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!
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​Since 1937, Camp Millhouse has been providing enriching experiences for children and adults with disabilities. In 1940, Mr.& Mrs. Charles Millhouse donated 11 acres of land and our main lodge which began our history on Kelly Road – the place our campers continue to call home. Although we currently do not own the land we sit on, we have been the only tenant on this property for the past 77 years. The dream of becoming the owner is finally closer to becoming a reality.
 
Camp Millhouse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, residential summer camp for children and adults with varying disabilities. We offer spring and fall camp weekends, multiple one-week-long residential and day camp sessions and additional opportunities throughout the year. Our campers come from all across the country for the unique opportunities that Camp Millhouse provides.
 
In late 2014, we began a quest for ownership of our property knowing our current lease would expire on December 31, 2017. In early 2017, we were excited to have reached the point of negotiating the purchase agreement. Which brings us to today! The property owners have extended a firm price of $500,000 and want to close the purchase in late December 2017 before the lease expiration date. This purchase will allow us to assure campers, their families and the community that Camp Millhouse is here to stay. In order to meet our purchase obligation, provide funding for our current budget and to begin some immediate upgrades, we are announcing the launch of our $1M Capital CAMPaign: Building for the Future While Honoring the Past – Serving Generations to Come. This exciting opportunity comes as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary. What better way to Honor the Past than to Invest in the Future of Camp Millhouse to ensure Camp will continue to thrive for the next 80 years and beyond!
 
We need your help to make this happen!  We need to raise half of this campaign in a very short amount of time. While $500,000 may sound unreachable, it is not! We know not everyone can donate cash themselves but there are many ways to help! Please see the below document for some suggestions of how to help. What we are asking of you is to reach out to your family, friends and local businesses. Talk to them about Camp Millhouse and why it is important to you and your family. Ask for a donation. Asking can be hard to do, but we have to do it. When we break down the $500,000, it is really just 500 people donating $1,000 or 1000 people donating $500.  If 10 of your friends donate $100 each, you’ve already reached $1,000! We know these are big numbers so remember that every single penny counts! It gets us that much closer to our goal!
 
Donations can be made via cash, check or charge and can be mailed to Camp Millhouse, 25600 Kelly Rd., South Bend, IN 46614.  Credit/debit cards can be called in to the office directly or used through our website www.campmillhouse.org or on the GoFundMe page. Please call the office if you have any questions 574-233-2202.  Thank you to each and every one of you! With all of us working together, Camp Millhouse will continue to serve generations to come!
 
With Warm Regards,
 
Diana Breden                                                                                  
Executive Director                                                                         
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Sarah C. - Racing for Steve-O Foundation

"At Camp they are able to be themselves among their peers and others who have similar obstacles in their lives.  This is the highlight of their lives and an amazing opportunity for them to be active, happy and be able to get outside and enjoy some fresh air! The therapeutic benefits of camp is immeasurable for both the campers and those that care for them."

Stacey S. - mom of camper, Baylee

"It's hard to put in words exactly what Camp means to Baylee and our family.  Whever Camp is brought up in conversation within our home or out in the community, it always brings a smile and is always followed by a heartwarming story of just how awesome Camp is.  Baylee has had some challenging years due to her fragile medical history. I remember 5 years ago, things were very touch and go when she was induced into a medical coma due to seizures and kidney failure. We would sit at Baylee's bedside and tell her that Camp was waiting for her return that summer and that she needed to stay strong so that she could see all of her favorite camp counselors. We weren't for sure what Baylee was hearing or comprehending - we started to sing some of her favorite Camp songs, and all of a sudden Baylee was smiling around her breathing tube.  At that point, we knew she was still with us. Camp Millhouse gives my daughter the motivation to fight through all of her therapies/procedures and endure through her daily routine. Baylee says 'I can just be me at Camp Millhouse', "

Pat H. - mom of camper, Drew

"When our son became an adult reality hit us hard. We were suddenly faced with no school, no friends and no way to entertain him 24/7. This is where Camp Millhouse has saved us... The JOY I mentioned at the beginning of the letter extends beyond just the families of the campers. It is seen in the interactions of each camper as they come back to reality and talk to everyday people in their communities. Social interactions and Pride in what our kids can accomplish are beyond measure."

Roxann M, mom of camper, Matthew

"Matthew is a joy in our lives, but requires constant care resulting in stressful lives for all of us.  It is the only week of the year when he gets a break from home and we get a chance for a vacation or just time at home relaxing knowing that Matthew is in capable hands and well taken care of.  Camp Millhouse is a place where Matthew is free to be who he is, surrounded by fellow campers and staff who don't judge, but embrace everyone's differences."
     There are numerous ways you can be a part of this CAMPaign:
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            - Donations can be made directly to Camp Millhouse via cash, check or charge by
               contacting the office directly at 574-233-2202, the donation page of our website
               at www.campmillhouse.org /donate-now.html, via our GoFundMe account or mail
               or bring your donation to the office at 25600 Kelly Road, South Bend, IN 46614. If
               you come to the office, we can also give you a tour!
 
             - Naming Opportunities:  for a specific donation amount, you will have the naming
                 rights for the building you choose to fund. Please see below for more
                 information or call the office at 574-233-2202. 
  • Name a Bunk- $60 (100+ available) The following individuals will be honored with their name on a bunk: Lorrie Rozek, Mary Beth Grisoli, Andy Umbaugh, Jim McBride, Angie & Larry Balsley, Monica Donnelly in honor of Carlo & Angela Marino and Vincent & Mary Donnelly
  • Landscape Pavers- $100 (4x8) $200 (8x8) The following individuals will be honored with their name on a paver: Julie Stalker, Monika Luttman, Caitie Rohrman, Ryan Bear, Jeremy Downing, Dominick Daniele, Paul Daniele, ZB Falcons, Valerie Luby
  • Legacy Bench- $300 (20 available) The following individuals will be honored with their name on a bench:  Louise Rozek, Mary Beth Grisoli, Shively Family, Jeremy Downing, Andy Umbaugh, Robert & Kathy Nixon, IBEW Local 153, B-Diddy, Julie Stalker, ZB Falcons, Alexis Ham, Jerry & Marge Marley from Sara Marley
  • Camp Millhouse Lodge- $100,000
  • Pool- $50,000  Racing for Steve-O Foundation in memory of Steve Smith
  • Healthcare Center- $20,000  Sponsored by Jim & Joanne to be named Joanne's Healthcare Center
  • Cabins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5- $20,000 each  Cabin 4-Greene Township Lions Club
  • Cabin 6:  Sponsored $50,000 Dick Pfeil, in honor of his children, Mary and John Pfeil.
  • Kendallhay- $20,000
  • Camp Office- $20,000
  • Mattes Cabin- $10,000
  • Arts and Crafts- $5,000 Sponsored by William Small in honor of: Emilie Small Grondin, Chris Small andJames l Grondin
  • Music- $5,000  Sponsored by Pat & Dick to be named for Camper Lorrie (space name to be determined)
  • Camp Store- $5,000 Sponsored by Michele Medford in memory of Alexis Ham 
  • Garage- $5,000 Sponsored by Jim and Joanne in honor of Luke Guy - to be named "Luke's Garage"
  • Pump Shed- $5,000 Sponsored by Dennis Kring to be named "Kring's Pump House"
  • Chapel- $5,000 Sponsored by the Guy Family in honor of their aunt. Chapel to be named: Barbara A. Calderone Chapel
  • Playground- $5,000  Sponsored by the Steuterman Family
  • Ropes Course Elements- $2,000 each​

 
            - Power of a Pledge: We invite you to consider making a pledge to the CAMPaign
               as a way to help Camp Millhouse meet the $500,000 commitment for the 2017
               property purchase. Consider spreading your pledge across a three year period
               with a 50% gift in 2017 and 25% for the next two years.
 
            - Stock Donation: The most tax-efficient method of making this type of gift is to donate
               the stock shares directly to Camp Millhouse through their Edward Jones investor who
              will immediately initiate a sale of the stock shares and forward the proceeds directly to
              Camp Millhouse. The donor then receives documentation from Camp Millhouse
              regarding the stock sale transaction as well as official notification from Camp of a
              charitable gift once the funds are received. For instructions to provide to your broker
              about how to initiate your gift of stock for Camp Millhouse, please contact the office
              574-233-2202 or campmillhouse@gmail.com.
 
            - Purchase property:  Camp Millhouse owns five lots in a residential neighborhood
               near the corner of Kern and Locust Roads. We would like to sell these lots to help us
               with the purchase of our camp property. Please contact the office for more
               information.
 
            - Matching gifts: Did you know that many employers will match your donations
               to a non-profit charity? Ask your employer if they participate in a matching gift
               program.  Ask your family and friends to match your gift to Camp Millhouse.

            -  Encourage others to donate: share our letter with friends and family, tell them why
                Camp is important to you and ask them to help, host an information night with people
                from your work, church, community group or club, gym, etc. If you want us to attend,
                bring promotional materials, our video, and answer questions, please call the office.
                We’ll travel anywhere! Share our social media posts, our videos and the GoFundMe
                link and ask family and friends to do the same. Consider your connections and
                introduce us – radio hosts, newspapers, t.v., influential friends, business owners.
 
           - Memorials and bequests:  For the future success of Camp Millhouse, please consider
              including Camp Millhouse in your Will, IRA Gift, Charitable Gift Annuities or Legacy
              Trusts.

These campers are what this capital CAMPaign is all about!!