Camp Happy Days a success in many ways
Campers and volunteers enjoy the water at a past Camp Happy Days in Summerton. This year, the camp had more than 200 children registered.
SUMMERTON - Camp Happy Days 2019 was a heartwarming success both in terms of the number of attendees and the number of businesses, organizations and individuals who made generous donations to this year's event.
"We had around 254 children registered for this year's camp," said Bill Ellis, a volunteer fundraiser for the camp for more than two decades. "One of the best things this year is that we didn't need any medical assistance during the camp. That was a blessing."
For the past 37 years, Camp Happy Days, which is held at Camp Bob Cooper, 8001 M.W. Rickenbaker Road, has been a respite for children battling cancer and their siblings. For one week, these children can put their worries aside to enjoy fun-filled indoor and outdoor activities including fishing, painting, boating, a prom, a dazzling fireworks display and more.
"The weather for the week was great," Ellis added. "We had a little rain on the day of the prom, but that didn't stop us. The rain ended just in time, and the prom was a tremendous success. The children loved the fireworks display."
The camp would not be possible without the outpouring of donations from the local community, Ellis said.
"What a great week for Camp Happy Days," he added. "It would not have been possible if not for the generosity of the people of Clarendon and Sumter counties. I am proud to be a member of this community."
Ellis' list of donors included more than 65 companies, businesses and organizations and more than 90 individuals and families.
"This was a great year for donations," he added. "I can't begin to thank everyone for their generosity. Some of these were first-time donors. We live in a very giving community."
Fundraising for the annual event is very rewarding, Ellis said.
"I do this for the children," he said. "It's really heartwarming to see these children who are fighting cancer come out and have a great time. That's what the camp is all about.
Business and Organization Donors:
Walmart of North Charleston and Manning
Edwin Boyle Santee Sumter Ministry
Eastern S.C. Mustang Club
Farmer's Telephone
Brunson's Pharmacy
Corner Diner and its customers
McKenzie Trucking
Jimmy's Heating and Air
Pocataligo Products
Wyboo Women's Club
Anderson Pharmacy
LMA Speech and Drama Club
LMA Student Council
LMA Booster Club
Laurence Manning Academy
Prothro Chevy
Piggly Wiggly of Manning
Carolina Bait Company
D & H Restaurant
Lil Debbie Dist. (Bobby)
City of Manning
Clarendon County Sheriff's Office
Four Holes Sales and Service
Second Hand Rose
Manning Lions Club
Manning Restaurant
Ken's Tax Service
Hacquard and Compton Ind.
Summerton Lions Club
The Manning Times
The Sumter Item
Shannon Greens
Bank of Clarendon
A&P Recycling
Mid-Carolina Steel
Second Chance Shop
Chic & Shared Treasures
SEC
Summerton Rotary Club
Farmer's Propane
Simpson's Hardware
Sparrow & Kennedy Tractor
C. Anthony's Men's Wear
Sodor Enterprises
Rhodes Graduation Service
Ladies Aide Organization
Pat Tours
Summerton Drugs
Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce
David Welch Farms
Clarendon Gas Co.
Manning United Methodist Church (Jones-Gamble Class, Upper Room Class, Men's Class, Cornerstone Class)
Manning Presbyterian Church
Second Baptist Church
First Baptist Church (Ruth Class)
Grace Baptist Church
Union United Methodist Church
Jordan United Methodist Church
Graham Baptist Church (Men's Class)
Our Lady of Hope Church
Individuals:
Polly and Porter Thompkins
Joe and April Davis
Stewart and Robin Moody
James Black
Kenneth and Gloria Holladay
Mike Watson
Bill and Judy Holmes
George and Jan Ellis
Marvin and Mary Alsbrook
Cliff Bagnal
Fred and Dot Kraut
Rep. Robert L. Ridgeway III
Alfred Breedin
Aubrey and Miriam Johnson
Rich and Mary Ann Danback
Wayne and Carol Utley
Jack Rose
Gloria Joseph
Lynn, Pat and Billy Gibbons
Joey Moore
Bob and Debbie Tucker
Bob and Janice Frazier
Jack and Donnie Pelly
Dee and Randy Osteen
Ted and Barbara Johnson
Jack Evans
Julian Weinberg
Pat Robinson
Ibra Mathis
Glenn Ardis
Inez Mulbauer
Julia and Silky Woods
Jill Torrey
Hugh and Darlene Thames
Ellis and Abbi Milinis
Andrea, Lake and Friends
Sarah Faye, Allie, Vassar and Darrell Turner
Tarrant Morris
Butch Franklin
Whit Jordan
Hank and Paula Boudreau
Barb Bremer
Rosanne Jackson
Charlie Gavin
Chuck and Donna Gordon
James and Tammie Richburg
Woody Nesbitt
Sonny and Ann Sanders
F.D. and Gayle Scott
Billy Marshall
Russell Purvis
Ronnie and Mellie Lee
J.M. and Anita Ard
Larry and Brenda Smith
Tom Vose
Jake and Patricia Ross
George Mauss
Senator Kevin Johnson
Jeff and Gem Davis
Sara Ann Aycock
Nathaniel Cumbee
Virginia and Reynolds Burrows
James and Claudette McGinty
Willard and Eva Felder
Rich Dedeyn
Dr. Marva Williams
Steve McCabe
Frank Leone
Andrea Lewis
A.C. and Ann English
Robert Fisette
Individuals:
Polly and Porter Thompkins
Joe and April Davis
Stewart and Robin Moody
James Black
Kenneth and Gloria Holladay
Mike Watson
Bill and Judy Holmes
George and Jan Ellis
Marvin and Mary Alsbrook
Cliff Bagnal
Fred and Dot Kraut
Rep. Robert L. Ridgeway III
Alfred Breedin
Aubrey and Miriam Johnson
Rich and Mary Ann Danback
Wayne and Carol Utley
Jack Rose
Gloria Joseph
Lynn, Pat and Billy Gibbons
Joey Moore
Bob and Debbie Tucker
Bob and Janice Frazier
Jack and Donnie Pelly
Dee and Randy Osteen
Ted and Barbara Johnson
Jack Evans
Julian Weinberg
Pat Robinson
Ibra Mathis
Glenn Ardis
Inez Mulbauer
Julia and Silky Woods
Jill Torrey
Hugh and Darlene Thames
Ellis and Abbi Milinis
Andrea, Lake and Friends
Sarah Faye, Allie, Vassar and Darrell Turner
Tarrant Morris
Butch Franklin
Whit Jordan
Hank and Paula Boudreau
Barb Bremer
Rosanne Jackson
Charlie Gavin
Chuck and Donna Gordon
James and Tammie Richburg
Woody Nesbitt
Sonny and Ann Sanders
F.D. and Gayle Scott
Billy Marshall
Russell Purvis
Ronnie and Mellie Lee
J.M. and Anita Ard
Larry and Brenda Smith
Tom Vose
Jake and Patricia Ross
George Mauss
Senator Kevin Johnson
Jeff and Gem Davis
Sara Ann Aycock
Nathaniel Cumbee
Virginia and Reynolds Burrows
James and Claudette McGinty
Willard and Eva Felder
Rich Dedeyn
Dr. Marva Williams
Steve McCabe
Frank Leone
Andrea Lewis
A.C. and Ann English
Robert Fisette
Perry Moses
Janice McCann
Carolyn Radar
J.H. Lewis
Stan and Pat Raybits
Judy Hooks
Margaret Ardis
Patsy and James Williamson
Harold and Angela Hodge
Mac and Marie Hill
G and J Rowland
Richard and Tammy Cupp
Anonymous
And to these Fishermen:
Don Drose
Phillip Phelps
Kristall and Ronnie Wedding
Carl Cagle
Bobby G.
Goat Island Boat Club
And, if a company, business, organization or individual is inadvertently left off, Camp Happy Days apologizes. We greatly appreciate your generosity.