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| Windham High School junior Brooke Gerry holds her 2021-2022 'Gatorade Maine Softball Player of the Year' trophy after donating $1,000 through Gatorade's 'Play ot Forward' program to Camp Sunshine in Casco on Friday, Aug. 19. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
Brooke Gerry was chosen as the 2021-2022 “Gatorade Maine Softball Player of the Year” back in June and this honor is reserved only for the nation’s best high school athletes. Gerry is the first softball player to be chosen for the honor from Windham High School.
Camp Sunshine’s mission is to provide a no-cost retreat that combines respite, support, recreation and hope to families of children with life-threatening illnesses through the various stages of a child’s illness.
Brooke lived in Casco before coming to Windham and her dad was a member of the Casco Fire Department for 19 years. Gerry chose Camp Sunshine because she had attended many banquets there and it was always a place where she felt she could be herself.
Camp Sunshine was founded in 1984 on Sebago Lake by Anna Gould and Dr. Larry Gould who donated their facilities and personnel at Point Sebago Resort to host camp sessions for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Over the years, the program grew in popularity with numbers increasing and the demand for services exceeded capacity. In 2001, Camp Sunshine became a year-round facility on 25 acres donated by Anna and Dr. Larry Gould.
Prior to 2001, Camp Sunshine offered four to six sessions during the spring and fall where they served roughly 180 families each year. Camp Sunshine now serves as many as 750 families a year with more than 25 sessions offered annually. Since it began in 1984, they have served family members from all 50 states and 27 different countries.
Gerry said Camp Sunshine helps a lot of sick kids and their families enjoy the time they have with their children. It really speaks to her that they do this.
“Brooke has always been a caring young lady as long as I’ve known her,” said Windham varsity softball coach Fred Wilcox. “It was no surprise she picked Camp Sunshine as they’re a place that is very family-oriented and looks to help not just the child with an illness, but they also help the family navigate through these hard times.”
Wilcox said Gerry has a big heart and was brought up helping others. She comes from a very involved family as her father has been a long-time firefighter and her mother a teacher.
Camp Sunshine is preparing to return to their in-person sessions after two years of virtual sessions, so any donation helps move their mission forward.
“What's kind of cool is that one of our own, one of our neighborhood Casco young adults has selected Camp Sunshine,” said Camp Sunshine Executive Director Michael Katz. “It's inspiring to see them just embrace us as a charity and want to do good in the community and make a difference.”
The donation will go toward helping out the families, operationally, with offering Camp Sunshine’s services.
When a family comes to Camp Sunshine, everything is provided; this includes meals, lodging and on-site medical support. Any amount of support received helps to fray the cost and make it possible to have families stay during camp sessions.
Gerry knows she’s fortunate to have been able to do some of the things she’s done. Camp Sunshine gives others who might not be as fortunate a chance to forgot about their illness and have fun with their family and friends.
“We would like to express our utmost gratitude to Brooke for selecting us and for being an individual that cares,” said Katz. “And for wanting to help others and to do it here in our own back yard ... it’s inspiring, it’s amazing and it’s refreshing to see a young adult want to do that.” <
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