107 Scott-Free

107 Scott-Free
2/23/09
4:39 PM
Page 1
Changing Kid’s Lives
O N E S U M M E R AT A T I M E
BY MICHAEL OSBORNE
“America’s greatest
contribution to the world
is the summer camp.”
– FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
“Change will not come if we wait for some
other person or some other time.
We are the ones we’ve been
waiting for. We are the change
that we seek.”
– PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
www.Scott-Free.org
With a little inspiration and an opportunity to explore one’s own
abilities, all children can succeed and become part of a productive,
thriving community. Summer camp can be one of the best ways
to help struggling children. The positive environment can lead to
changes that last a lifetime.
Sadly, a summer camp opportunity is not an option for many
families. Scott-Free, a new triangle-based organization, is here
to change that. Founded in 2008, the Scott-Free Scholarship
Foundation surpassed expectations by sending 22 deserving
kids to camp last summer.
The Scott-Free Scholarship is need based. Recipients receive full or partial scholarships to participating summer camps that allow campers
to explore and discover their unique talents. According to Scott-Free
founder Deborrah Gruder, the organization’s mission is to give children an opportunity to realize their own life-changing potential.
Last summer Scott-Free sent 22 kids to remarkable camps like the
Meredith College Science Camp, the Sidney Lowe Men’s Basketball
Camp and The Kid’s Clubhouse. The late Kay Yow, through her NCSU
women’s basketball camp, was one of Scott-Free’s biggest advocates
and supporters. Yow always said she wanted her life to make a difference and for kids like Akela, a 12-year old who attended camp last
summer thanks to Scott-Free, she did. Akela remembers Coach Yow
telling the girls, “when life kicks you, let it kick you forward!”
Along with camp partnerships, Scott-Free’s annual fundraiser
is vital to raising money which provides these children with lifechanging opportunities. Last year’s event was held at Bev’s Fine
Art, a gallery in Raleigh. It included a silent art auction, food
tasting by Chef Bill Harrison of The Umstead Hotel and Spa and
musical performances by students from the Hayes Barton School
of Music and The Peter Kimosh Jazz Trio. A variety of local artists,
such as Siglinda Scarpa and Clayton Proctor, donated artwork.
Over 125 people attended, and donations came from as far away
as California, Florida and Massachusetts.
Get Involved! Scott-Free is looking forward to sending even more
kids to camp in 2009. New camps are coming on board and camp
partners from 2008 have already committed for this summer. The
absence of Kay’s enthusiastic support will be greatly missed, and
Scott-Free is currently looking for new partnerships and sponsors
to help fill that tremendous void. Learn more about Scott-Free
at www.Scott-Free.org, where you can find pre-applications for
campers, along with information regarding sponsorship opportunities and camp partnerships. Help Scott-Free get more kids
involved this summer!
The Scott-Free Scholarship Foundation is thankful for its many
sponsors and partners. Their continued help and support is
truly making a difference in children’s lives and the community
as a whole.
MIDTOWN
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