Greater Waterbury Campership Fund Update: Ion Bank customers vote to donate $5,000 to fund

WATERBURY — Ion Bank customers voted to be friends of the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund, with $5,000 headed toward sending local children to camp from the Ion Bank Foundation.

Each year, the bank’s foundation asks bank customers to vote for whatever charity they’d like to receive a donation. Last week, the foundation informed Karen Montini, secretary of the Campership Fund, of the results of the customers’ voting efforts.

According to the bank’s website, since its inception in 1998, the foundation has donated more than $8 million to local causes including social services, the arts, health, education, and economic development. “Our vision is to build a legacy of good works and to preserve funds to continue those good works in perpetuity,” the website says.

Contributions have reached $91,101 toward the campaign target goal of $165,00. That total does not include the pending Ion Bank grant, nor $7,500 pledged by Frank J. and Sandra Monteiro of Prospect and Drew Marine of Whippany, N.J., which Frank Monteiro heads as president and chief executive officer. The Campership Fund, a 501(c)3, counts only money in the bank in its weekly total reports.

“It’s a very worthy cause,” said Carol Martino of Prospect, a retired schoolteacher who taught for 35 years in Southington. “Every child deserves a chance to go to camp in the summer, and I hope it works out for you,” she said. “And if not, it can always be used for next summer.”

Martino, a regular contributor, made a $200 donation last week.

At least some camps plan to open on a limited basis this summer, and the United Way of Greater Waterbury, which screens applicants for eligibility, reports 20 applications have so far been approved. The original deadline of May 15 may be extended into June to allow more time for families to apply.

Every penny raised by the nonprofit Campership Fund’s all-volunteer board of directors goes toward sending accepted applicants to camp.

The Campership Fund celebrated its 50th anniversary year in 2019, and supporters raised $157,457 for tuition that paid for 434 children to attend camp.

Applications for this summer are available now through the United Way of Greater Waterbury, by searching “campership” on rep-am.com.

Donations may be sent to Greater Waterbury Campership Fund, 389 Meadow St., Waterbury, CT 06722.

Regular donations totaling $450 received last week included:
• Ms. Carol Martino, Prospect, $200
• Mr. Bryan Mulville, Southbury, in memory of Lois Montambault, former classmate at Crosby High School, $100
• Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Rita Spinella, Thomaston, $50
• Alpha Delta Kappa Epsilon, Watertown, $50
• Ms. Carolyn Baeder, Oakville, in memory of my son Larry Baeder on his birthday, $50