2020 marks 5 years since our chapter in Fort Collins launched its first camp. Since its inception, hundreds of volunteers and children in foster care have come through its programs. Just 2 years later, our chapter in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Poland began transforming the lives of abandoned children living in orphanages. While our mission across the globe is the same, we did not anticipate a partnership would form between these two.
A few years ago, a foster mom, who’s child attends RFK camps at the Fort Collins Chapter, connected a group of Christian quilters in the Denver area to the Chapter. Every year since, they have made and donated a quilt for every child in Fort Collins that attends camp! When the quilting group learned that Royal Family KIDS had a new Chapter starting in Poland, they were so excited to quilt for those children as well.
Unfortunately, this year, COVID-19 restrictions meant that both Fort Collins and Poland had to postpone their camps—but the quilters’ camper ministry continues! The Fort Collins team organized ‘virtual camp’ on Zoom and sent out care packages with notes, games and a handmade pillowcases for every camper! Meanwhile in Poland, volunteers are packing surprise kits to go to their former campers living in orphanages—a videotape greeting, notes, toys and treats. Polish director, Tomek Wallica, said “the pillowcases were so thoughtful and the kids are going to love them!”