June's Spotlight Organization is North Star Reach

MISSION: North Star Reach provides life-changing, year-round programs (at camp and remotely) for children with serious health challenges and their families, free of charge.

North Star Reach is Michigan’s only barrier-free, fully-accessible medical camp serving children with significant health challenges and their families, all at no charge to them. Their primary populations include children with solid organ transplants, heart disease, epilepsy, and sickle cell anemia.

Additionally, throughout the pandemic they have pivoted their programming to support the entire family year round with programs like Parent Support Groups, Care Conferences, and Family Game Nights.

Donate directly to North Star Reach


Details

Events to support North Star Reach

Zingerman's Mail Order Warehouse Shop Fundraiser Sale
June 24, 2022
9:00 am –10:00 pm

Come to Zingerman's Mail Order's Warehouse Shop at 710 Phoenix Drive in Ann Arbor on Friday, June 24th! All of the sales that day from the in-person shop will be donated to our friends at North Star Reach! There's tons of fantastic products that we love for great deals. The shop is open from 9am to 10pm and we ask that you follow whatever are the most up to date COVID-19 safety guidelines and signage on site regarding social distancing and mask wearing while in the space. Come down and get some great deals for a fantastic cause!

Under the North Star
September 30, 2022
5:00 pm –10:00 pm

Under the North Star is the Signature Fundraiser for North Star Reach which will be held this year on Friday, September 30th, 2022. The event will be held at the camp and feature incredible food, cocktails, camp activities, live music, and a live auction. To grab tickets, donate, sponsor, or view the live auction online, please follow the link for more information! Don't miss this one!


What Resources Does North Star Reach Provide

There are thousands of children across the Great Lakes region who are unable to attend camp due to a life-threatening illness. But the need for a therapeutic camp for children with chronic illness is great. A growing body of evidence-based research shows that underneath all the fun, children with serious illnesses who attend summer camp experience improved well-being. To participate in their programming eligible families can sign up at: https://www.northstarreach.org/lets-camp/summer-camp/

How Can The Community Support North Star Reach

Supporting their ongoing programming and camperships allows them to provide meaningful experiences for children with medical health challenges. To ensure top medical care and adaptive programming, it costs about $2500 to send a kid to camp - a contribution of any size allows them to serve their campers.

How Can People Volunteer to Help

They can't do their work without volunteers! They are always looking for individuals to volunteer for a weeklong camp experience (no camp or medical experience required). You can do so at: https://www.northstarreach.org/get-involved/volunteer/camp-staff-volunteer/. If you are interested in other opportunities to get involved please contact Michael Parker at [email protected]

Why Zingerman's Loves North Star Reach

Having serious fun in life should be accessible to everyone! This wonderful organization provides a special opportunity to children and families who are too often denied the chance to relax and enjoy themselves. The team at North Star Reach expertly cares for these children while allowing them the unique adventure that is the camp experience. And even more impressive, they do this free of charge, knowing that families with children facing serious health challenges have been met with more than enough financial burden as it is. It's truly remarkable to consider the lives they're improving and impossible to resist wanting to join them on this inspiring mission!

Donate directly to North Star Reach