BY ANDREA M. BEAUDOIN
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Sunday’s Walk & Roll for SCAMP was a huge success as hundreds of participants showed their support for a good cause. The Walk & Roll is SCAMP’s largest fund raising event each year.
Attendees collected pledges for the five-week summer camp for children and young adults with special needs, then walked 1-, 2- or 5-mile routes through Clarkston at Walk & Roll. Best friends Reese Meehan and Emily Herrmann decided to walk together this year.
Herrmann, a Sashabaw Middle School student, said she has been participating in the event for years with her family, and came to walk because she has special needs friends at school.
Meehan, a Clarkston Elementary student, raised $130 in pledges.
‘I collected donations from neighbors, family and friends to help kids at school,? she said. ‘I play with kids in the program at school, and I want to work with special needs students when I grow up.?
The Rollman family came from Ortonville to show their support for SCAMP because they have a 13-year-old son, Michael, who attends the summer camp. The family said they donate to the cause as a family.
Michael Rollman said he came to the SCAMP event to jog alongside his family. He wanted to show his support because he looks forward to his favorite events at SCAMP, like boating, music, and art.
Cody Passmore had been involved with SCAMP for several years. He said he likes joining in at SCAMP Walk & Roll because he gets to see old friends, and he just loves the fun events SCAMP offers.
SCAMP hosts fund raisers throughout the year to fund the camp so no child is turned away due to an inability to pay. Last year, the SCAMP Walk raised $27,000.
‘All of it goes to the camp,? said SCAMP Executive Director Donna Clancy.
According to their web site www.clarkstonscamp.com, SCAMP provides recreational and social opportunities under supervision of highly trained staff to students with autism, spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, and cognitive and emotional impairment.
The SCAMP program started off with 75 participants, growing to more than 200 people each year. Clancy said SCAMP has been an icon in the community for the last 38 years.
Lakeview Market provided free hot dogs and Pontiac Civitans donated chips and cookies. The 2013 SCAMP is June 24-July 31 at Clarkston Elementary.
For more information, visit www.clarkstonscamp.com