Crippled Children's Society
Camp Harmony Hall
In 1960, the Rotary District 7390 was concerned about the need for improvement at Camp Harmony Hall, a camp for crippled children located near High Spire, PA.
Camp Harmony Hall was a summer camp for children and families with handicapped children and was run by the Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults of Pennsylvania. It had programs for children ages 2 ½ to 21. It dealt with severe mental and physical handicaps, including hearing problems and non-ambulatory children. Sessions ranged from one to two weeks for children with physical handicaps.
In November of 1971, the Club had a fundraiser for Camp Harmony Hall. If a person's name was drawn, he could buy the turkey for $15. If he didn't want the turkey, he could contribute one dollar, and the drawing would continue. After many refusals of the turkey, Jim Wohlsen agreed to pay the $15 for it, providing that President Sam deliver it to Christ's Home in Paradise, PA. A total of $102 was raised for Camp Harmony Hall, and Christ's Home received the turkey.
In 1977, Camp Harmony Hall was featured in the February Rotarian. See separately.
In 1984, twenty Club members assisted in refurbishing Camp Harmony Hall for the summer season. This strong showing compares with a string of years marked by the attendance of three or four.
In 1988, the Club received a plaque at Camp Harmony Hall recognizing the Lancaster Rotary Club's contributions.
In 1992, there was ongoing work at Camp Harmony Hall, highlighted by an Open House and picnic and the dedication of Rotary Lodge at Camp Hogan.
In 1994, the Club had a luau at Camp Harmony Hall.
In 1999, Karen's Catering bought Camp Harmony Hall and converted it into a wedding and event venue.
From the February 1977 Rotarian Magazine
Sprucing up Harmony Hall
One of the major projects of R.I. District 739 (part of Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) is the support of the Camp Harmony Hall crippled children's summer camp, located near Highspire in Dauphin County. District clubs also make it a practice to dedicate the fruits of their fund-raising activities to respected area Rotarians. During 1974-75, district Rotary clubs raised more than $20,000 to renovate and re-equip the camp kitchen and to remodel the dining room.
Work on the kitchen was done in honor of the late Past District Governor Paul T. Gingrich, who at one time served as president of the Pennsylvania Society for Crippled Children and Adults. The dining room renovation was done in honor of John T. Gonloff, past president of the Colonial Park Rotary Club.
During the 1975-76 Rotary year, district Rotarians raised $7,000 to improve and upgrade the graystone main house which provides living quarters for Harmony Hall campers. This project was done in honor of District 739's "Mr. Rotary," Paul Harris Fellow J. Emory Seitz, now 96 and serving his 26th year as secretary of the Rotary Club of York. |
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