Team to Use Social Media, Web to Raise $50,000 for Children’s Summer Camp

MANASSAS, Va. — Community organizations and business leaders in Prince William County and Manassas are going the extra mile this summer to “Send a Kid to Camp.” For the next 10 days, seven prominent members of the community will embark on a quest to raise $50,000 to help give at-risk youth the opportunity to attend summer camp at one of three Boys and Girls Clubs branches in the area.

With the “10 Days to Summer Camp — Send a Kid to Camp” fundraiser, raising funds for the campaign will be be done easily and electronically using Crowdrise, a web service which allows anyone to go online and make a donation to one of seven teams all playing for same goal — to Send a Kid to Camp.

“Unplugged from the constant buzz of computers, television, video games, and cell phones, children find themselves at camp — making genuine connections with other children, rediscovering the fun in physical fitness, learning their own strengths, and finding their own voices,” said Boys and Girls Club Regional Director Glenn Vickers.

Just $30 will send a child to camp for one day, $150 for one week and $1,500 for 10 weeks. Just one camp experience can positively change a child’s life forever. Camp celebrates diversity and promotes tolerance. It holds a mirror up so children can see, no matter what their color, gender or socioeconomic circumstances, that who they are is beautiful inside and out.

The team leaders are prepped and ready to go:

Heather Mergler is the CEO of Advanced Title and Settlements, LLC. With experience in distressed homes, Mergler works with homeowners as they are closing their short sale transactions.

George Logan is the head of G-Team Sports, an organization based in Manassas, Va. that coaches scholastic athletes and prepares them for success in the university setting. Logan lives by the motto: “You play how you practice. If you practice hard, you will play hard.”

Enica Russell began her career more than 15 years ago, and has held progressively challenging roles in the financial services sector for organizations such as Salomon Smith Barney, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration. Using the power of philanthropy, Russell aims to give back to her community while advancing her career.

Eric Williams began his real estate career in 1994, quickly becoming one of the most dynamic real estate professionals in Northern Virginia. With community in mind, Williams has nearly 20 years of real estate experience where his focus has been working with military families, county agencies, and civic organizations to find affordable housing.

Clarence Wright is the founder of Creative Concepts and Advancement Events that specializes in weddings, and corporate and private gatherings. Wright is also known within the Prince William County community for his work with underprivileged children.

Nadia Pedersen is the day care summer camp director for the Manassas Boys and Girls Club, the largest Boys and Girls branch in the Greater Washington region. A career Boys and Girls Club employee, Pedersen believes professional staff training is the key to great success

Judy Moore is the Branch Director for the recently reopened General Heiser Club in Dumfries. In addition to being a youth development administrator, she is also seasoned home school teacher.

Peter Dolan is outgoing President of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. Through his years serving a youth sports, Dolan has never forgotten children need mentors need mentors to succeed.

Mark Worrilow is the owner Confidence Realty in Prince William County. Though Worrilow works each day with clients looking to live in our community, he keeps the community at the center of his business.

CHASE, the charismatic mascot of the Prince William County Boys and Girls Club, serve as a reminder of the program areas the Clubs provides to area youth. Character, Leadership, Health and LIfe skills, Arts, Sports and Recreation, Education and Creative Elements.

Rhet Phitzner serves at the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Prince William County / Manassas Boys and Girls Clubs. When not attending his children’s’ sports games, he can be found inside his office as an agent for Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Angela Knight Angela Knight is a classically trained lyric coloratura soprano who performs regularly with the Washington National Opera, conferences, self-produced concerts and stage shows and other concert venues across the United States and around the world.

Uriah Kiser is the founder and publisher of Potomac Local News. With more than 15-years experience in television, newspapers, and online community news, Kiser is a Boys and Girls Club alumni of the Hylton Club in Dale City.