I know that some members here are, or were, members at Magic Alley. I'm known as Timon there and was formerly known as TrampsPal. Regardless of how you feel about Magic Alley (I know that some people may have bitter feelings about the way things happened there) I'm sure we can all agree that one of the most wonderful things to come from Magic Alley is the Smiles Across The Miles program that NancyBJ has been running for a while now. The program still exists and Nancy is still running it.
For those of you that don't know about Smiles Across The Miles program it's a very simple concept. As anyone that's ever stayed at a WDW resort knows mousekeeping will refresh your room with soap, shampoo and conditioner everyday (except for the All Stars which has those shampoo & conditioner dispensers). Well, many people take these things home with them. Someone came up with the absolutely brilliant idea (I assume it was Nancy, but I don't know for sure that it was she) to send these items to needy organizations. So if youre so inclined and are going to be staying at one of the WDW resorts bring these items home and contribute them to Smiles Across The Miles.
The program has a new organization to which donations are going to be sent. It's Camp Happy Times! Camp Happy Times is a nonprofit camp offered at NO CHARGE for any camper that has or has had cancer. If you remember the old Michael Landon show Highway to Heaven, Camp Happy Times was featured in one of it's episodes (Drew Barrymore played a little boy so that gives you an idea of how long ago this aired) They are in their 22nd year and this year will have 2000 campers. They also have about 100 in volunteer staff for the week including doctors and nurses that can treat these special patients. Many of the doctors and nurses treat these kids on a regular basis. The camp tries to provide any items that the camper has forgotten or which the family cannot afford (which include soap, shampoo, lotions, etc. etc., items right in Smiles Across The Miles wheel house).
The camp takes place the last full week of August. Camp Happy Times holds a special place in my heart because they have had my ds as a camper for the past 2 years. He was diagnosed with leukemia over 2 1/2 years ago and has been under treatment since that time. He'd be going to CHT again this year except that when the kids take off for camp we'll still be at WDW.
The address for sending the merchandise is:
Camp Happy Times
*Smiles Across the Miles Program*
2101 Millburn Avenue
Maplewood, NJ 07040
Attn: Millie or Skip
In addition to the soaps, shampoos, conditioners and such, or if you're not going to WDW soon but would still like to contribute something, here's a list of things that Camp Happy Times can use. The reason for the additional items is because they have a camp "store" - for which they don't charge - and the campers come there for whatever they have forgotten (many times the item is not forgotten, the family does not have the ability to provide these items for the campers. Cancer treatment even with insurance can still be very expensive).
Camp Happy Times Wish List
(all items MUST be new and unused)
-Towels, both bath and beach
-Socks, both children and adult sizes
-Bathing Suits
-Underwear, boys / girls all sizes child and adult
-Sun Screen
-Flashlights
-Batteries all sizes from AA to D cell
-White Tee Shirts for tie dying, all sizes child to adult
-Nonperishable foodstuffs (i.e. chips, cookies, candy, etc.)
-Bottled water
-Toiletries
-Over-the-counter medications for the infirmary (i.e. Tylenol [not aspirin or ibuprofens items like Aleve as it thins the blood which isn't good for leukemia patients], Neosporin, Bandages)
-Pool toys (i.e. beach balls, goggles, inner tubes, etc.) -Sporting equipment T-shirt (with appropriate logos)
-Phone cards (for counselors)
-Party supplies (i.e. birthday)
-Bug sprays
-Arts & Crafts supplies (i.e. markers, crayons, paper, etc.)
-Laundry detergent
-Zip-lock Baggies all sizes
-Large trash bags
-Sunglasses
-Cosmetics unused
-Storage boxes
-Videos (VHS or DVD)
*I am SURE that they will accept gift cards to stores like Target, Wal-Mart, etc. as well as a check. So they can get items that are not sent and that they are in need of the most!*
If you would like more information on this wonderful program please visit their web site:
http://www.thevaleriefund.org
(Camp Happy Times is run though the Valerie Fund) or call their main phone number at 1-800-8VALERI. Being a non-profit and relying entirely on volunteers the website isn't as up to date as maybe it should be, but you'll get the idea.
Any and all help for this most worthy cause is greatly appreciated. It is my hope that the Disney Web community can put aside any differences and look into their hearts (which I know are huge) and support this.
Thank you,
For those of you that don't know about Smiles Across The Miles program it's a very simple concept. As anyone that's ever stayed at a WDW resort knows mousekeeping will refresh your room with soap, shampoo and conditioner everyday (except for the All Stars which has those shampoo & conditioner dispensers). Well, many people take these things home with them. Someone came up with the absolutely brilliant idea (I assume it was Nancy, but I don't know for sure that it was she) to send these items to needy organizations. So if youre so inclined and are going to be staying at one of the WDW resorts bring these items home and contribute them to Smiles Across The Miles.
The program has a new organization to which donations are going to be sent. It's Camp Happy Times! Camp Happy Times is a nonprofit camp offered at NO CHARGE for any camper that has or has had cancer. If you remember the old Michael Landon show Highway to Heaven, Camp Happy Times was featured in one of it's episodes (Drew Barrymore played a little boy so that gives you an idea of how long ago this aired) They are in their 22nd year and this year will have 2000 campers. They also have about 100 in volunteer staff for the week including doctors and nurses that can treat these special patients. Many of the doctors and nurses treat these kids on a regular basis. The camp tries to provide any items that the camper has forgotten or which the family cannot afford (which include soap, shampoo, lotions, etc. etc., items right in Smiles Across The Miles wheel house).
The camp takes place the last full week of August. Camp Happy Times holds a special place in my heart because they have had my ds as a camper for the past 2 years. He was diagnosed with leukemia over 2 1/2 years ago and has been under treatment since that time. He'd be going to CHT again this year except that when the kids take off for camp we'll still be at WDW.
The address for sending the merchandise is:
Camp Happy Times
*Smiles Across the Miles Program*
2101 Millburn Avenue
Maplewood, NJ 07040
Attn: Millie or Skip
In addition to the soaps, shampoos, conditioners and such, or if you're not going to WDW soon but would still like to contribute something, here's a list of things that Camp Happy Times can use. The reason for the additional items is because they have a camp "store" - for which they don't charge - and the campers come there for whatever they have forgotten (many times the item is not forgotten, the family does not have the ability to provide these items for the campers. Cancer treatment even with insurance can still be very expensive).
Camp Happy Times Wish List
(all items MUST be new and unused)
-Towels, both bath and beach
-Socks, both children and adult sizes
-Bathing Suits
-Underwear, boys / girls all sizes child and adult
-Sun Screen
-Flashlights
-Batteries all sizes from AA to D cell
-White Tee Shirts for tie dying, all sizes child to adult
-Nonperishable foodstuffs (i.e. chips, cookies, candy, etc.)
-Bottled water
-Toiletries
-Over-the-counter medications for the infirmary (i.e. Tylenol [not aspirin or ibuprofens items like Aleve as it thins the blood which isn't good for leukemia patients], Neosporin, Bandages)
-Pool toys (i.e. beach balls, goggles, inner tubes, etc.) -Sporting equipment T-shirt (with appropriate logos)
-Phone cards (for counselors)
-Party supplies (i.e. birthday)
-Bug sprays
-Arts & Crafts supplies (i.e. markers, crayons, paper, etc.)
-Laundry detergent
-Zip-lock Baggies all sizes
-Large trash bags
-Sunglasses
-Cosmetics unused
-Storage boxes
-Videos (VHS or DVD)
*I am SURE that they will accept gift cards to stores like Target, Wal-Mart, etc. as well as a check. So they can get items that are not sent and that they are in need of the most!*
If you would like more information on this wonderful program please visit their web site:
http://www.thevaleriefund.org
(Camp Happy Times is run though the Valerie Fund) or call their main phone number at 1-800-8VALERI. Being a non-profit and relying entirely on volunteers the website isn't as up to date as maybe it should be, but you'll get the idea.
Any and all help for this most worthy cause is greatly appreciated. It is my hope that the Disney Web community can put aside any differences and look into their hearts (which I know are huge) and support this.
Thank you,
