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Friends Gift Shop of the University of Michigan Health System
Transformational Donor Profile
CAMP IMPACT
Since 1959, Friends Gift Shop of the University of Michigan Health System have dedicated hospital Gift Shop proceeds to support patient programs. The organization also targets support for the health, welfare and education of their community. They have given generously to North Star Reach to build the lobby of The Observatory, creating a welcoming, calming space for campers, medical volunteers, staff, and caregivers.
The Friends Gift Shop also contributed funds to the construction of our camper cabins. More than any other location at camp, the climate-controlled cabins are a special place where kids — many of whom are spending a night away from home for the first time (outside of a hospital setting) — feel safe and bond with kids just like them. The magic of camp comes alive in these homes-away-from-home.
HOW OUR STARS ALIGNED
When Friends Gift Shop of the University of Michigan Health System first heard about camp, the organization leaders saw a meaningful opportunity to invest in the continuation of care for pediatric patients and to extend the impact of their giving beyond the walls of the hospital. To make this an especially meaningful gift, they made a significant donation in memory of long-time volunteer, Ernestina Parravano, for whom camper Cabin No. 1 is named.
We Are SeriousFun – Changing the World, One Camp Story at a Time
Share Your Story and Make a Difference (In Less Than 3 Minutes!)
In honor of what would’ve been SeriousFun founder Paul Newman’s 94th birthday on Saturday, January 26, we’re inviting camper alumni, family members, volunteers, donors and our extended camp family to share a story about the power of camp. It takes only minutes and you’ll join others around the world celebrating Paul’s legacy and raising awareness for the life-changing impact of camp.
Below, we detail the steps for submitting your story.
1. Go to the SeriousFun Mosaic Site & Select Add Your Camp Story
Go to the SeriousFun Mosaic homepage: http://bit.ly/shareyourcampstory
Select the Add Your Camp Story button to get started. (Note: Each tile in the Mosaic represents a story; the screenshot below was taken shortly after the site launched–the tiles will get smaller, and the image of Paul clearer, as more stories are added.) 
2. Enter Your Name, Email Address, and Camp Name
We will use the email address you provide to contact you once your story has been reviewed and submitted to the Mosaic, so please enter an active email address.
3. Upload Your Photo
Landscape images work best. Portraits will display the center of the image. You will be able to preview your photo — and change it, if you like — before you submit.
4. Type Your Story & Select a Theme
Enter your story in the space provided (note: posts are limited to 500 characters–roughly a short paragraph). Then select a SeriousFun theme by clicking on the dropbox and selecting from the list of choices.
Be sure to select the “I am 18 years or age or older” checkbox. For campers younger than 18 who wish to share stories, please ask your parents to submit on your behalf. Select Preview to review your post.
5. Preview Your Story & Submit
If you don’t like the way your photo displays, return to the Upload a Photo screen and select a new image. You can also make changes to your copy by selecting the Back button.
6. Congratulations! You’ve Added Your Story!
Before your story is published to the Mosaic, our team will review for approval. You will recieve an email once it’s live. Thank you for sharing your experience in celebration of Paul’s legacy and helping to raise awareness for the life-changing impact of camp at North Star Reach–and SeriousFun camps around the world.
How to View Other North Star Reach Stories
The Search functionality to find North Star Reach stories is still under construction. For the meantime, you can hover over the thumbnail images on the Mosaic to visually locate stories by people you know. Below we feature a couple early North Star Reach contributor posts, by Sydney and Al, both of whom have been fabulous program volunteers.
