(JUNE 2022)—The Amityville National Junior Honor Society recently met with Melissa Firmes, Co-Founder of KiDS NEED MoRE, to learn about volunteering opportunities. KiDS NEED MoRE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, families, and young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illness. The organization is located in the community resource center building with The Coalition for the Homeless and Family Service League.
“I invited Ms. Firmes to meet with our students to discuss with them about the volunteer opportunities and to start a relationship that I am hoping we can plan for and grow next school year,” said Carlee Brunson, National Junior Honor Society Advisor.
KiDS NEED MoRE runs a Long Island sleep-away camp that was previously run by the American Cancer Society called Camp Adventure. The camp is celebrating its 33rd birthday this year! KiDS NEED MoRE started Saddle Rock Day Camp in 2016, dedicated to providing an enriching, empowering experience at no cost to local children coping with “tough stuff.”
There are year-round volunteering opportunities with KiDS NEED MoRE that include paint nights, writing birthday cards, sorting supplies, putting together gifts, and making virtual visits in their online camp program. Some advanced volunteering opportunities include making home visits with team members to play video games, board games, throw a ball around or bake brownies with kids who are homebound.
Day Camp runs from July 5 to July 15, Monday through Friday. There is a bus that leaves from the KiDS NEED MoRE headquarters in Amityville at 8 a.m. each day. Volunteering at the camp is a commitment and requires training. There is a possible stipend available for those who are very committed and 16 years and older Volunteering at the sleep-away camp is reserved for those who have made an extraordinary effort and must be 16 years and older.
About KiDS NEED MoRE:
KiDS NEED MoRE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, families & young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illness. KiDS NEED MoRE has provided fun activities that foster peer relationships, independence and respite for over 25 years. KiDS NEED MoRE believes that children and families coping with life-threatening illness and trauma deserve to do more than just survive. They deserve to thrive!