Austin Sunshine Camps Celebrates Fifth Annual Sunshine Keeper Luncheon

This article is produced by TRIBEZA as sponsored content.

On Oct. 21, Austin Sunshine Camps held its fifth annual Sunshine Keeper Luncheon, presented by Hembree Bell Law Firm. For nearly 100 years, the organization has provided free overnight camp experiences for children in foster care and those who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals in the Central Texas community.

Sunshine Keepers are the organization’s recurring donors, whose year-round support helps make camp possible for hundreds of children annually. The luncheon offers an opportunity to grow that community and introduce new supporters to Austin Sunshine Camps’ mission. This year’s event drew nearly 200 attendees and secured recurring support to provide camp experiences for at least 50 children each year.

1

4

Austin Sunshine Camps CEO Erica Blue at the fifth annual Sunshine Keeper Luncheon on Oct. 21. (Photo by Dave Hawks)

2

4

Rachel McGrath and Phil Dowdy. (Photo by Dave Hawks)

3

4

Hannah Hembree Bell. (Photo by Dave Hawks)

4

4

Caitlyn Macaluso. (Photo by Dave Hawks)

Camp’s lasting impact

Former campers, counselors and staff members shared stories about the role camp has played in their lives. Featured speaker Maritza Lopez recalled arriving as an 8-year-old from a single-parent household and finding a safe place to be herself, have fun and simply be a kid.

Lopez went on to serve as a counselor and staff member. She is now studying early childhood education at Texas State University, with a focus on students learning English as a second language and a minor in psychology. Her experience illustrates the lasting impact of the organization’s work.

Austin Sunshine Camps thanked the attendees, volunteers, hosts and sponsors who supported this year’s luncheon. To learn more about its programs or become a Sunshine Keeper, visit sunshinecamps.org or contact development@sunshinecamps.org