Middletown summer campers raise $2,175 for Fostering Hope Lower Bucks

Carol Garner, site supervisor for Middletown Township’s summer recreation program, presented a $2,175 check to Fostering Hope Lower Bucks during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 11.

Garner told the board the donation grew from a simple classroom exercise: campers decorated small treasure chests and were each given a penny to “make that penny grow” through chores, sales or fundraisers. Garner said the car-wash fundraiser and other activities have increased the program’s donations each year: “The first year that we did this, we collected $50 … the second year … we collected $100 … we collected over $1,000 … the following year, we collected $1,500 … last year, we collected $2,000.” She added, “I’m happy to say that this year, we have surpassed our $2,000, and we raised $2,175.”

Sarah Burstein, a leader with Fostering Hope Lower Bucks, told the board that the organization is volunteer-led and uses donations for direct family needs. “As a completely volunteer led nonprofit, every dollar donated here tonight will go directly to families, and the children in their care, the resource families, from car seats to diapers and baby gear to clothing, toiletries, and school supplies to larger items, such as beds and dressers and even gifts for birthdays and graduations,” Burstein said.

Garner said staff from all three summer sites collaborated on the fundraiser and that Fostering Hope invited staff and campers to see how prior donations were used. The sites include the township’s program at Core Creek Park.

The presentation came during a special item on the meeting agenda recognizing the summer recreation program and its community fundraising. No board action was required for the donation.

The board thanked Garner, program staff and the campers for organizing the effort and for the recurring donations to local charities.