Governor Tim Pawlenty Applauds Royal Family Kids' Camps
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November 2007 Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc. Vol. IV
Governor Tim Pawlenty Applauds
Royal Family Kids’ Camps
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was the keynote speaker at the third annual local Royal
Family Kids’ Camps Partners Banquet in St. Peter, Minnesota. With moving inspiration,
Governor Pawlenty addressed a crowd at the Jesus Assembly of God Church.
“It makes me proud as governor of this state to know involvement of more churches statewide, Royal Family
that the leading efforts for such a worthwhile endeavor Kids’ Camps of St. Peter hopes to offer the
are occurring right here in St. Peter,” said Governor life-changing experience to more campers.
Pawlenty.
Our sincere thanks to the outstanding support of
The event raised $26,500 to establish and assist Governor Tim Pawlenty and the efforts of Larry and
Royal Family Kids’ Camps throughout the state of Kim Spiess, Directors of Royal Family Kids’ Camps in
Minnesota. Through the funds that were raised and the St. Peter.
Governor Tim Pawlenty inspired guests at the Royal Family Kids’ Camps Partners Banquet in St. Peter,
Minnesota on June 4. Pictured here are Wayne Tesch, Ken Rhodes (former Counselor), Alex Rojas (former
camper), Governor Pawlenty, Kim and Larry Spiess, and Senior Pastor Greg Stone and his wife, Donna.
The Gift Goes On
Just like you, we approach also keep in mind His children ... the abused, abandoned
this incredible time of and neglected little ones He loves ... and let us continue
year with a mixture of to work together to give these children the gift that goes
great joy and anticipation. on and on - changed lives and hope for the future.
But we also feel a touch
of sadness, too. For the Thank you! May God grant you and your family a blessed
thousands of children we holiday season.
Wayne and Diane Tesch, serve, this season bears
Co-Founders of Royal Family nothing but pain and
Kids’ Camps, Inc. disappointment. They
suffer from loneliness, and
the all-too-often let down from parents who promise
a holiday visit ... but never show up. Thanksgiving and
Christmas become painful reminders of a harsh reality for
these children that they never seem to escape ...
Except for one magical week during the summer ...
a week spent “just being a kid” at Royal Family Kids’
Camps!
This is why, during this season of gratitude and blessing,
we are so very thankful for you and your support of
the Royal Family Kids’ Camps program. What a gift you
provide for these deserving children! It is a gift that keeps
on giving the whole year through. This year, over 6,000
boys and girls spent a week of unabashed fun, embraced
by unconditional love, esteem-building encouragement,
and the joy of making memories that will last them a
lifetime.
Receiving a donated gift at Everybody’s Birthday
It’s really what this time of year is all about. As we gather Party is just one of the ways campers are made to
with friends and family to celebrate the true Gift, let us feel special!
One Powerful Camp Experience
Judge Clark of Tyler, Texas is used to getting calls requesting meetings from lawyers and caseworkers involved in Child
Protective Services. But a recent meeting with 8-year-old Lisa gave Judge Clark the surprise of her life.
Lisa was removed from her family over a year ago. Last summer, while in foster care, she was able to attend Royal Family
Kids’ Camps ... and had been counting down the days until camp would roll around again.
When Lisa’s caseworker notified the small girl that she might be able to finally go back to her home this June ... the
young girl’s reaction was a surprise. She requested a meeting with Judge Clark.
Little Lisa sat in Judge Clark’s office and quietly pled her cause ... please don’t let her miss the Royal Family Kids’
Camps this summer! Lisa wanted to make sure she could stay in foster care just long enough to make the annual camp
festivities - the highlight of her young life - this year. Judge Clark promised the little girl that she would contact Royal
Family Kids’ Camps and make sure Lisa could attend - regardless of whether she would be going home.
Now that is one powerful camp experience!From Victim to Victor: Jennie Thomas and Royal
Family Kids’ Camps break the cycle
Recently, Former Camp Director Jennie Thomas was 7-18 to camp, utilizing 367 total unpaid volunteers and
chosen by the Orphan Foundation of America as one of totaling over 57,000 hours of service for the year.
10 national graduate student winners to receive a $10,000
Casey Family Graduate Scholarship toward her graduate In the fall of 2005, Jennie enrolled in Chapman University’s
school tuition. These awards graduate program in Organizational Leadership. Now, two
were given to 10 former foster years later, Jennie is scheduled to graduate from Chapman
youth who show promise of University in December of 2007 with her Master’s degree
making a difference in the lives in Organizational Leadership, along with a graduate
of others through pursuing certificate in Public and Nonprofit Leadership.
higher education through a
graduate degree. Jennie was overjoyed to receive this
scholarship, as she was paying for
Because of her background in most of her graduate education
Former Camp the foster care system, Jennie is through student loans. It was a
Director Jennie most passionate about helping huge milestone in being recognized
Thomas. Above, abused children within the for the choices that she had made
leading a 2002 camp dependency system. to help others and for persevering
volunteer meeting. despite her circumstances and background. Along with this
At right, showing her She grew up in Kentucky in an scholarship comes a requirement for community service
Royal Family camp abusive family. Her mother was hours, which Jennie intends to fulfill through Royal Family
spirit! on drugs and Jennie raised her Kids’ Camps.
three sisters.
“In my heart, I know RFKC will always be a huge part of
Despite her harsh circumstances, Jennie excelled in school. my life,” Jennie says, and is excited to see how that will
During her senior year, Jennie received several scholarships take shape once she graduates and continues along the
to college within the same time period that her mother path that Royal Family Kids’ Camps initially set her on over
was convicted of felony drug charges. a decade ago.
While attending Pacific Christian College (now Hope
International University), Jennie took a class called A Special Thanks
“Ministry to Special Needs” where Wayne Tesch spoke
each year. Wayne and Jennie met and Wayne networked To all those at RFKC,
Jennie with Newport Mesa’s flagship Royal Family Kids’ I run a camp in Nebraska for children and youth in the foster
Camps, where she signed up to be a Camp Counselor care system who have been separated from their siblings.
during the summer of 1998. It was such a life-changing
experience for her that Jennie went on to intern for Royal
It’s all about bringing the siblings together to support and
Family Kids’ Camps. The Tesches connected Jennie with build those life-long bonds. Every year I get calls from kids
Mariners Church, of Irvine, CA, which ran two Royal who want to go to camp but don’t qualify for mine and I
Family Kids’ Camps — this is where Jennie completed her am always excited to pass on the good word of Royal Family
internship learning more about outreach to foster children Kids’ Camps. I just want to thank you for creating and
as well as many other types of at-risk populations. maintaining such a wonderful program. I have heard nothing
but wonderful things from both kids and adults who have
Following this internship Jennie was hired on staff at
Mariners Church, where she oversaw the summer camps
experienced Royal Family Kids’ Camps. I believe in giving
programs for three years. During this time she helped start praise where praise is due. You are truly touching lives.
three new outreach camps, modeled after Royal Family
Kids’ Camps, which served inner-city Hispanic children as Thank you for all you do.
well as children of impoverished families who were living Jessica Hilderbrand
in local run-down motels. During Jennie’s last summer Foster Youth Initiative Program Coordinator
on staff at Mariners Church, the camping programs she Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
oversaw took 319 foster, at-risk, and motel children ages
Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc. 3Andy and the Green Bear
Four years ago, God gave Mark and Jennie said quietly. He went on
to tell me that three years
Thengvall a passion for Royal Family Kids’ earlier, when he was
Camps after they attended Director’s taken out of his mother’s
Training. With the help of two other custody, she gave him
Green Bear to remember
couples, the Thengvalls launched Royal
her by. And I don’t think
Family Kids’ Camps in Omaha, Nebraska he had put the Bear
where they serve as Camp Directors. down since that day.
Recently, Mark shared this moving story
Sometimes at RFKC I look
with us: around and think, “These
are just like ‘normal’
I was getting the campers ready to load on the bus to kids,” but then one of
head out to camp on Monday morning and 9-year old them says something or
Andy looked up at me and said, “Can Green Bear and I shares something with
sit by you?” I’d already met Green Bear, Andy’s stuffed you that is far from ‘normal.’ My conversation with Andy
animal. In fact, he was my first challenge in making the on the bus that day was really the first time that a camper
week extra special for Andy! When I gave Andy his camp caught me off guard with one of those comments that
t-shirt, he asked to have one for Green Bear too. “Hmm, only an abused and neglected child would say. These
here you go, a special invisible shirt for Green Bear!” I special kids need huge amounts of love, encouragement,
replied … And fortunately, Andy thought that was great! fun, and God’s truth to heal the scars in their lives.
So we sat down on the bus and Andy couldn’t stop
talking about Green Bear. Green Bear knows how to play We feel privileged to have such caring partners on the
basketball, Green Bear is a great skate-boarder, Green Royal Family Kids’ Camps team in Mark and Jennie
Bear, Green Bear, Green Bear ... it went on and on. After Thengvall. They are making a difference in the lives of
we’d settled in for the long ride, Andy said, “I have to children like Andy!
take really good care of Green Bear you know.” “Why is
that?” I asked. “He is all I have left of my mom,” Andy
National Adoption Day 2007
National Adoption Day is a national effort to raise awareness of
the 114,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent,
loving families. For the last eight years, National Adoption Day
(this year on November 17th) has made the dreams of thousands
of children come true by working with courts, judges, attorneys,
adoption professionals, child welfare agencies and other
advocates to finalize adoptions and find stable, caring homes for
children in foster care.
But adoption has an even sweeter meaning to us at Royal Family Kids’ Camps. We see
the precious children who are longing for a home and family right before our own eyes.
And we are thrilled to say that Royal Family Kids’ Camps’ training and volunteering all
Camp Directors Tom over the country has led to adoptions and permanent placements of children in foster
and Jan Rizzo with their care.
children.
Just this year, one young couple who had been childless for many years, decided to
pursue adoption of a foster child after attending Royal Family Kids’ Camps’ Counselor
story continued on next page
4 Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc.Training at their church, Jefferson Baptist Church, in Jefferson, OR. Part of the training is designed to prepare Counselors
how to work with children who will be attending camp.
“I felt the fear of foster children has been lifted from me today,” said the now, soon-to-be adoptive mom.
This young couple, once afraid of adopting a child from the foster care system, is now in the process of adopting a
beautiful 18-month old girl - once abused, now rescued by a loving family.
And while being involved with Royal Family Kids’ Camps has led to volunteers adopting children, sometimes volunteers
become involved with Royal Family Kids’ Camps because of their personal experience with foster care or adoption.
Tom and Jan Rizzo, Directors at the Geneseo, IL Camp, became involved nearly 10 years ago with Royal Family Kids’
Camps after adopting one child and providing a home for others. Tom said, “It only seemed natural that we would also
be involved with a ministry to children in the foster care system.”
Today, Tom and Jan have adopted three children and served as foster parents to over 40, in addition to extending their
ministry to Royal Family Kids’ Camps.
God is at work through the ministry outreach of Royal Family Kids’ Camps and through its volunteers ... rescuing and
providing hope for the children He loves.
Keep Transforming Kids’ lives ...
and do it WISELY
When you send a gift to Royal Family Kids’ Camps before years-end, you can enjoy great
tax advantages as well!
This year you can use your IRA to make a charitable distribution directly to Royal Family
Kids’ Camps, if you are age 70-1/2 or older. This law – effective now – allows this
distribution up to $100,000. This may reduce your income tax because the distribution
from your IRA is not included in your taxable income. When you give by December 31,
the distribution will qualify for all or part of your required minimum distribution for 2007.
But take advantage of this opportunity now! The law is set to expire this year.
Another option to consider would be a gift of appreciated property, securities or stocks
which may provide another tax advantage in addition to a charitable tax deduction in the
amount of the gift. You may avoid the capital gains tax you would incur if you were to sell
the stocks and donate the proceeds.
For more information or help planning your special gift, please contact Glenn Howard at
(714) 438-2494 ext. 105 or GlennH@RFKC.org. Thank you!
Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc. 5CHECK US OUT ONLINE!!
Please visit us at www.rfkc.org to:
Royal Family Kids’ Camps
3000 West MacArthur Blvd.
• Read moving personal testimonies Suite 412
Santa Ana, CA 92704
• Find Royal Family Kids’ Camps near you 714.438.2494
www.rfkc.org
• And so much more! © 2007
To protect camper confidentiality, models
are used in some photographs.You can also read
