Pay Love Forward

Last year, the generous donations of friends, family, and strangers from around the country made it possible for Patrick to attend Camp Akeela, a summer camp designed to give neurodivergent kids a life-changing experience. (https://www.gofundme.com/donations/Mnnp%5CrZQuoVj%5CXWpariioHGaBL7znszTSaWyE2g2Fy0%3D)

Patrick came home a different boy — full of confidence and better equipped to face the challenges of middle school and beyond. He made friends. He became part of an extended family. For the first time, he felt a deep sense that he was welcomed, cherished, and belonged — not only in the safety and love of his family, but out in the world.

Camp Akeela gave him hope. And it also gave him a mission: to make sure he wasn’t the only child who got to receive such a gift. When he came home, he said: “Who else in the world can also get this? I’m not okay with it just being me.”

Patrick wants to pay that gift forward, and help raise money to send another child to Camp Akeela.

We made this video to share both his gratitude and his goal. You can hear directly from him about how and why Camp Akeela was transformative for him.

Patrick’s goal is ambitious: yet $10,000 three summers of camp for the price of one. Our family is partnering with Camp Launcher, a nonprofit that offers “camperships” to neurodivergent children in economic need. If we can meet this goal, it will cover one summer of camp … but Camp Launcher will then pay for the next two summers.

Every dollar we raise here will go directly to Camp Launcher. If you prefer to give directly to Camp Launcher, you can get tax credit and be included in their database. If you write a check, please note in the Memo “Patrick’s Fundraiser.”

https://www.camplauncher.org/donate-patricks-project/?fbclid=IwAR3CMJj7E-rom1qMgVIkupsEdT2vHKJxI_QC1oer6BAO_N_zEihiywqFRKo

We know there is a great deal of suffering in the world, and no shortage of people who need and deserve our help. To all those who helped to change Patrick’s life — thank you. To all those who will help Patrick do the same for another child — we are so grateful for your generosity.

A note on our intentions and transparency as fundraisers: we partnered with Camp Launcher to assure donors of the legitimacy of this endeavor. On May 1st, Patrick's mom, Elizabeth will close the fundraiser and ask Go Fund Me to transfer funds to her account. She will then write a check to Camp Launcher, the not-for-profit the Wilkins-McKee Family has partnered with. (Please see the above link to Camp Launcher.) Camp Launcher has transparent access to the number of funds earned to assure donors of the Wilkins-McKee Family's intentions and follow through. If you have questions about the fundraiser feel free to contact Camp Launcher or her directly. Funds will be spent by Camp Launcher's method of determining camper needs which requires an application and committee review for financial need. Funds are used to pay camp fees and costs for financially in-need neurodivergent children. Children who otherwise would not be able to attend Camp Akeela will then be able to!