WATERBURY — The Greater Waterbury Campership Fund’s 2020 campaign heads into its final four days with an unprecedented collection of $208,778 in the coffers as the new year looms.
The pandemic-altered year still allowed the Campership Fund to cover the tuition costs of $36,646 for the 72 underprivileged kids from the area who attended camp during the past summer at facilities throughout the state.
Generous contributions from large and small businesses, civic clubs and church organizations, schools and philanthropic entities, and of course legions of loyal individuals made it happen.
The surplus funding will be applied to the 2021 campaign so it will have a solid financial base to work from at the start.
The target goal for 2020 had been $165,000.
The Campership Fund, a 501(c) 3, is mandated to adhere to guidelines of no salaries for the all-volunteer board and no expenses, with every penny raised going to the cost of sending children to camp.
The Campership Fund is a year-round operation so contributions are welcome any time, and a few more may still trickle in before the calendar changes at midnight Thursday.
Families who receive SNAP benefits or meet federal poverty guidelines, and with children ages 5 to 18, living in Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury, are eligible to apply.
Donations may be sent to Greater Waterbury Campership Fund, 389 Meadow St., Waterbury, CT 06722.
Contributions recently received for $1,725 included:
• Mr. Robert W. Garthwait Jr., Waterbury, $1,500
• The Taft School, Watertown, $100
• Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Cathy McKenna, West Hartford, $100
• Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Eileen Stango, Waterbury, $25