JUNE 4, 2023 — At around 4:30 AM this morning, a devastating fire engulfed our Headquarters & Event Venue at Camp because I said I would located at 3483 McCament Road in Walhonding, Ohio The facility was unoccupied and no one was hurt. At this point, we do not know what caused the fire and investigations are ongoing. The organization became aware of the fire by a security system notification. We will share updates as they become available. The entire building and all its contents are a total loss.
This was much more than just four walls; it held 10 years of our supporters' Promise Cards, irreplaceable keepsakes and memories. This facility also housed the most critical resources and tools we use to operate the charity. Some of the utilities for our resort cabins are tied to this building and are currently offline. This means that certain family bereavement retreats will have to be cancelled. The earned revenue from our corporate retreat fees and VRBO cabin rentals that financially sustain our charitable programming is in jeopardy as well. We are also facing the sobering reality that our level of insurance will likely not cover the breadth of our losses.
Despite the scopeof this loss, we want to assure our community: We are not quitters. We have witnessed countless supporters bravely face life’s adversities, and it is their resilience that inspires us now. Alex Sheen, Founder & CEO of because I said I would, stated:
“We serve youth facing mental health adversities and families in bereavement. Give up on them now? That fire would have had to take me with it. I do not care how far the chips are down. I do not care how difficult or long the road is. This nonprofit survived the pandemic, and we will outlast this too. I want to personally apologize for all the broken promises that are bound to come with this loss of capacity, but I will not apologize for quitting, because that simply is not going to happen.”
If you would like to support the charity’s recover from this fire, please consider making a donation to our Facebook Fundraiser and sharing the link with friends, family and your employer.
Additionally, we are looking for in-kind donations that were lost in the fire.
Press Contact:
Alex Sheen
Founder & CEO
Organizer
because I said I would.
Beneficiary