Summer camp season is over for the year, but a nonprofit that helps children with diabetes experience a fun and safe camp experience is already gearing up for next year. Locally based Camp Kudzu, staffed primarily by volunteers, many of whom are medical professionals, anticipates serving 800 young people and their families through summer camp and weekend programs next year. Nearly half of the children who participate need scholarships.
Want to help? Here’s a fun way to get involved.
Camp Kudzu's sixth annual fundraising luncheon is planned for 11 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Piedmont Driving Club. The event will honor founding luncheon chair and former Camp Kudzu board member Melanie Boltax.
"The luncheon is one of our two largest annual fundraisers," said Chris Cann, board member and event co-chair. "Every dollar raised makes a difference. By honoring Melanie Boltax, we hope to pay tribute to her tireless efforts to raise awareness and funding for this life-changing camp."
One of Boltax’s children has Type 1 diabetes, as do more than 6,000 children and teens in Georgia, according to the organization.
The Camp Kudzu benefit is being hosted by SignatureFD, an Atlanta-based wealth-management firm, and will feature a live auction with pieces from Jonathan Buckhead, owned by private jeweler Jonathan Shapero.
“Melanie understands the necessity of giving back to her community selflessly,” Shapero said. “As a mother and wife, she is fearless and always puts family first, and her closest friends are family. She is not only tolerant of all people but loving and generous to a fault. I am so proud of her and believe she truly deserves this.”
Tickets to the luncheon start at $100 each and sponsorships are available. See www.campkudzu.org for details.
Jovita Moore to emcee Opera Ball
Channel 2 anchor Jovita Moore emcees this year's Atlanta Opera Ball, themed "Puccini's Palazzo." The black-tie fundraiser, chaired by Chris Casey and Doug Weiss, will be held Oct. 26 at the St. Regis hotel in Buckhead. It will honor longtime supporters Boyce and Shepard Ansley. Individual tickets are $350 and patron sponsorships start at $1,500. Call 404-591-2928 or see atlantaopera.org for details and reservations.
