‘I Am Special’ Trailways Camper Reunion

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Adults with special needs, family members and caregivers were joined by special guests from the community and volunteers Saturday, April 2 for the annual “I Am Special” Trailways Camper Reunion and Birthday Party at the Sanibel Community Church. They celebrated relationships built through Trailways Camp experiences and increased participation in their communities.

Mayor Holly Smith—a turn on the dance floor with Trailways Campers, Camper Glen Stilley in the foreground. Don Kulbacki, Father to the right of Mayor Smith. (Music and dancing opportunities donated by David Flory, Island Ballroom).

Grampy’s Charities—Left to Right, Grampy the Clown and Jim Castle present $10,000 sponsorship to Sharon and Jerry Miller, Trailways Camp

Jerry Miller, Founder recognizes Cliff Nolan, Sanibel Island resident as Volunteer of the Year. Cliff donated time and skills to provide numerous site improvements at Riverside Camp and Retreat that improved accessibility for campers to participate in covered outdoor activities, horseback riding and campfire times.

Founder’s Awards: The Biggest Fish, 19” Kristin Calandra

The Elder, Janie Combee, 73

The Benjamin G. Miller, “Joyful Spirit” Academy is Introduced.

The Birth Day Celebration led with all singing Happy Birthday and the cake presentation

It began as a celebration event honoring the life of Robert V. Miller in whose memory a camping program for adults with special needs was initiated in Central Texas. Over time the gathering has become an annual camper reunion event at which the camper participants, their families and caregivers gather together to celebrate their birth days and to honor their connection to their communities.

The Miller Family moved full time to Sanibel, Florida in 2011 and decided to initiate the camping program in SW Florida. They established a Donor Advised Fund at the SW Florida Community Foundation, DBA Collaboratory, selected a site partner—the Riverside Camp & Retreat in LaBelle, and selected an organizational provider— Goodwill Industries Southwest Florida, Inc. In October of 2012 the first Trailways Camp in SW Florida became a reality.

Learn more at the Trailways Camp website.