Dear Family and Friends, 

As many of you might know, I have volunteered at Camp Daniel in Athelstane, Wisconsin since 2015. Camp Daniel is a 501-(c)3 non-profit Christian organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities strengthen their relationships with God through five, one-week summer camp programs filled with love, joy, fun, and most importantly, Jesus. 

Throughout my life, I have always been passionate about helping people with disabilities. In 2013, I started volunteering with my family at a ministry called Caring Friends in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, which meets once a month for 2 hours to celebrate faith, family, friends, and food with our friends with disabilities. Through this ministry, I started volunteering at Camp Daniel.

Ever since I walked onto the Camp Daniel grounds, I knew I belonged there and that God had brought me there for a reason. I quickly built strong relationships with such amazing people. But most importantly, I saw the value that people with disabilities have in our world. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says: “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” Through my years at Camp, I’ve seen how much I’ve grown. I remember my first summer’s takeaway was about how I loved seeing each camper and volunteer happy and how much love everyone expressed for each other. 

Last summer was my first experience as a counselor. Being a counselor was very different from being a volunteer. I learned how to build my days around someone else’s routines, wants, and needs. It showed me a deep sense of what loving others means. This year, I have felt God’s calling to be an intern at camp from mid-June to early August. Camp Daniel’s internship program is a 7-week mission trip. As interns, we will support counselors in our cabins, create and build relationships with campers, counselors, and volunteers and plan and run fun activities throughout the week. 

I’m reaching out to you because of the tremendous impact you’ve had on my life and I’d love it if you’d be a part of my team. Whether it’s prayer, encouraging messages, or donations, I would love your support. Financially, my time at camp will cost $800, which covers food, housing, and other internship expenses. Please, prayerfully consider helping me in any way you feel led.  

Finally, Thank you. I’m grateful to each of you! I can’t wait to start my new journey at camp as an intern. Please feel free to reach out for any updates or questions at 224-391-3590. 

Love,

Giovanni