Easterns Blog

There is an estimated population of over 5 million children in the United States who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor. In the heart of Maryland’s Eastern Shore is Camp Kesem. A far from ordinary camp. They are the largest organization that serves kids who have been impacted by their parent’s cancer.

Cancer already places massive stress on families, and they do not want financial barriers to stop kids from coming. Local college students drive the camp, and year-round they are fundraising to make sure this experience is 100% free for children ages 6 – 18. Camp Kesem isn’t a grief or cancer camp; it is an opportunity for kids to be kids again. They are all given Camp names that allow the kids to embody that personality and be whoever they want.

Joined by Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group, he surprised Camp Kesem counselors with a check for $2,500. “It is impossible to find a family who has not been touched by cancer in some way, and it’s important that you are helping these kids move on,” shares Joel. This donation from Easterns saves Camp Kesem from some fundraising and helps them purchase supplies for activities like all of the slimes they made this summer.