Welcome Brian Rooney

Join Us in Welcoming Brian Rooney as our 2015
North Star Reach Board Chair

This week we asked Brian some questions to help our camp friends get to know him better:

Brian, why did you & your family decide to become involved with North Star Reach?

My wife Tiffany and I were really excited when we first found out about North Star Reach. We both went to summer camp as kids and wanted our children to experience the joys of summer camp as well. For our youngest son, Blaise, who has Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy, it was looking like it was impossible for him to go to camp. But to learn about this camp that is basically in our back yard was very exciting and it makes it that much more special to us.

We also loved the camps vision of being barrier-free to all campers and families, including being free of charge – that is one of the awesome things about it!

Why is North Star Reach so important to kids and families in Michigan?

Michigan has gone through tough times lately with the economy and slow recovery. This construction project shows that Michigan is on its way back. I also believe that we have some of the best hospitals in the country in Michigan. North Star Reach has partnered with 14 hospitals and medical centers to be able to serve kids from all over the region and even in Chicago.

Additionally, my family and I think that Michigan is one of the best places in the world to spend summers. It is a great vacation state and so many of us in Michigan have fond memories of summer camps out on the lakes. This camp will highlight all that is beautiful in our state from the tall trees to the sandy beaches at the shores of our peninsula off Patterson Lake.

What do you hope to accomplish as Chairperson in 2015?

I have four goals in 2015 for camp:

1. To finish out our Capital CAMPaign. We are narrowing in on our goal of $26.2 million. It has been a marathon race for us and we can see the finish line. Raising the last four million dollars that we need will allow us to cover operating expenses for 2-3 years once camp opens. This is important as no child or family will pay to attend camp.
2. Get us ready to open our doors to campers in the spring of 2016.
3. Continue to build a robust and diverse board of directors who are excited about camp and work to ensure the longevity of the camp for generations to come.
4. Share our camp story – tell folks about our jewel of a camp. Also, spread the word that we will be the 9^th SeriousFun camp (founded by the late Paul Newman) in the U.S.

Wow, those are some great goals! When we reach these goals and open camp, what are you most looking forward to?

It’s simple really. Just seeing kids being kids. Seeing our campers laughing and smiling instead of focusing on their health challenges. I look forward to hearing stories about kids meeting friends just like them and no longer feeling isolated or different. I’m looking forward to the joy that camp will bring to families like mine.

Thank you, Brian. We know 2015 will be a fantastic year!