"I wanted to give kids those sparks."
Jean Giovetti describes "sparks" as nuggets of memories she collected while on family vacations at the lake. But when she volunteered at a shelter for abused and neglected children, she noticed the kids had no "sparks." She thought it was sad, in the land of 10,000 lakes that so many kids had never been on a lake. So she began to bring them, once a week during the summer, to her lake home. Those trips soon evolved into Camp Sunfish.
Camp Sunfish now has a home on Lake Sylvia in South Haven where kids who have been in child protection can go to catch their first fish, get up on water skis, swim and enjoy the outdoors. Jean's goal is to instill hope, respect and improve self-esteem. Seeing those "sparks" develop, "it's really a gift to me."
Jean grew up waterskiing, playing sports and volunteering. So while she is still employed writing computer software, she says creating Camp Sunfish has put her on her "right path."
"Let your heart be your guide."
Designated Charity: $1100 to Camp Sunfish, Inc.