Annual Fund of the Merrie-Woode Foundation
501 (c) 3 non-profit organization

April 2009

Dear Merrie-Woode Family,

“It is because there is a kindred spirit in you that you have recognized what Merrie-Woode stands for. God gave us a place of rarest beauty and since I first beheld it, I have tried to match it as best I could with permeating love and honesty. It is a composite thing made up of all those who, through the years, have loved it and given it their best.” Dammie Day

As young girls, we had only a faint inkling of what Merrie-Woode really was. Each passing year at “camp” taught us more of those lessons which have shaped our lives. The memories of those summers have faded but the feelings are still fresh as we often pause to remember – when we bump into another Merrie-Woode girl, when we hear the familiar songs, or when we are lucky enough to visit camp. For almost 50 years, Camp Merrie-Woode has been a part of each of us.

Together, we represent almost 200 weeks at Camp Merrie-Woode from 1950 to 2008, and we each smile at happy camp memories and we each cherish the influence of our Merrie-Woode experiences: Dammie’s reverence for the beauty of our natural world; Fritz’s admonition to leave each place better than we found it; Hugh’s leading “Merrie-Woode girls” on memorable great adventures; loving families creating the Merrie-Woode Foundation; and generous friends helping to complete the Final Piece Campaign are all parts of the fabric of 90 years of Camp Merrie Woode. Still Merrie-Woode girls inside, we each continue to hike and sing, canoe and laugh, face great challenges with smiles, endure life’s hardships with tears and hugs.

In its 91st year, Camp Merrie-Woode is in excellent physical shape, the camping program is superb, and the staff is unrivaled. We know that you have your own special Camp Merrie-Woode memories which you would like to make possible for other girls in the summer of 2009 and in the years to come, so please join us in contributing generously to the Merrie-Woode Foundation’s Annual Fund. The goal for 2009 is $100,000. As a non-profit, Merrie-Woode relies on the Annual Fund to guarantee the continuing level of high quality as well the ability to offer several “camperships”. Campers are counting on your participation this year! Your generosity will be deeply appreciated. All gifts of cash or stock are tax deductible within the limits of the Internal Revenue code. We invite you to show your support through a gift to the Annual Fund.

Chug-a-Wump,

Sara Oliver – Camper (01-06)
Bright Tate - Camper (89-93)
Elizabeth Loomis – Camper (88-92)
Jodie Kinnett Klumpenhower – Camper (73-80)
Jean Kinnett Oliver - Camper (68-72), Camp Parent, City Representative
Frazer Kinnett Loomis – Camper (65-69), Camp Parent
Bright Kinnett Wright - Camper (63–67)
Claire Kinnett Tate - Camper (60–66), Camp Parent, Former Board of Trustees
Betty Blackmon Kinnett – Mom in Residence (volunteer), Camp Parent, Camp Grandparent