By Judy Carmack Bross
These little 2024 mascots flew off the shelves during the recent paddle raise at the Camp One Step “Camp is Gold Gala”
“All kids coming to camp share a strong instant bond emotionally, physically and mentally. Each child has faced life-death issues. With this common background, instant friendships take root on a common playing field where all understand each other. At this unique, awesome camp there’s so much fun, playfulness, laughter, singing and joy that permeates this special gathering of kids on Lake Geneva every summer. One would never know they are struggling with a major issue. This is truly heart warming to witness!”
–Marjorie Schwebel at the Camp is Gold Gala.
Marjorie Schwebel speaks about the wonders of Camp One Step
It was not surprising that the gala celebrating Camp One Step, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free year-round camp experiences for kids with cancer and their families that foster joy, belonging, confidence, and lifelong friendships, sold out the week invitations arrived for the recent Ritz-Carlton Chicago event. And before the evening’s end, the 490 guests learned that for the first time ever the “Camp is Gold Gala” had exceeded $1 million, a milestone insuring even more camp experiences.
Through year-round opportunities, children from birth to age 19 and their families meet, bond, and find a network of support, inclusion, accessibility, connections and empowerment at Camp One Step.
Guests celebrating the message of the Camp is Gold gala
Guests loved the Camp is Gold gala
Jon and Kerry Leiman toast Camp One Step
The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring live music, setting the stage for the main event in a ballroom adorned with the golden hues of sunset, reflecting this year’s “Golden Hour” theme. Gala Committee Chair Kerry Leiman, joined by her husband and Camp One Step Board Chair Jon Leiman, kicked off the program with a celebratory toast. Former camper and the evening’s host Ryan Sartori followed with a heartfelt welcome, sharing his inspiring journey with Camp One Step.
Host and former camper Ryan Sartori
The Richard Schwebel Award
The evening highlighted the partnership with the Jeffrey Schwebel Foundation which honors the late son of the evening’s speaker Marjorie Schwebel who presented the Richard Schwebel Award, named for Jeffrey’s father and her husband who was an active board member and fundraiser until his death in 2014. Jeffrey first attended Camp at the age of 12 in 1979, then served as a counselor. The Jeffrey Schwebel Foundation has contributed significantly to Camp One Step through The Player Invitational, held in Lake Geneva each summer.
The Pierce Family receives the Schwebel Family award.
Marjorie Schwebel presented this year’s Richard Schwebel Family Award to the Pierce Family Foundation received by Peggy Pierce on behalf of the foundation.
A highlight of the night was hearing from Colin, an 11-year-old camper who shared his experience with cancer and Camp One Step. His moving testimony was followed by a live auction, a heartwarming video showcasing campers’ experiences camp, and a paddle raise that found plush giraffes, this year’s camp mascots, flying all around the room to donors. Guests danced into the night.
For more information, visit camponestep.org.
