Summer does not mean kick back and relax for Lasallian Volunteers (LVs) who continue their service outside of their ministries. Over the years, several LVs have spent part of their summer at Camp Horizon in Kingston Springs, TN, with kids who have cancer. The camp is sponsored by the American Cancer Society for oncology patients and their siblings.
Daniel Salvaggio, an LV from 2006-2008, has volunteered at the camp for eight years. He got involved while doing volunteer work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a student at Christian Brothers University. Daniel calls the camp an important part of his life. “The campers and volunteers at camp are a family to each other and myself, and it is a beautiful thing to witness and feel,” he said.
LV Kelly Lazarowski volunteered at Camp Horizon for the first time this summer. She wanted to do more service because she feels volunteering changes her heart and soul. Kelly’s time at the camp certainly touched her heart–especially during a night around a campfire with siblings of cancer patients when they all shared why camp was important to them. “It wasn’t long before tears were beginning to fall and hugs were being shared,” she explained. “Campers shared how they look forward to this one week of camp all year long. It’s the one time they can truly be themselves. They love being surrounded by people who understand what they and their family have been through.”
Daniel carries countless memories from his years at camp and regularly thinks about those moments. He considers volunteering as an LV and at camp great ways to experience life and learn. “There is a realness and purity to the things that I have been blessed to be a part of because of these two programs,” he said. “Being a volunteer played an important part in fostering that purity.”
Both Daniel and Kelly will be back camp next summer. They will likely be joined by other LVs who also plan to donate their time.