Wagshal's Market raises funds for Camp Merrick

Friday, July 3, 2009

Wagshal's owner, Bill Fuchs made a $4,050 donation, which was accepted on behalf of Lions Camp Merrick by Gregory Floberg, the camp's director of development and public relations, along with Derrick Ayers of Wheaton, who was awarded a "campership" to attend a session for children with diabetes.

Six qualifying families will receive free sessions at the Nanjemoy camp.

Each year hundreds of children diagnosed with diabetes participate in the Camp Glyndon diabetic program held at Lions Camp Merrick and learn how to better manage their disease. In addition to the educational benefits of the program — which are achieved through activities like drama and art — campers challenge themselves and one another on the high ropes course and climbing wall. They hike the many trails on the 320-acre facility, swim in the pool, canoe on the Potomac River, improve archery skills, play team sports and explore nature. The camp is supported by Lions Clubs throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Delaware, the American Diabetes Association and other organizations.

Raising funds and awareness for Camp Glyndon is a personal cause for the Fuchs family, especially Aaron Fuchs, operations manager for the business, who attended Camp Glyndon as a child. Aaron Fuchs was diagnosed with diabetes when he was young and because of his disease was not able to go to just any summer camp. Camp Glyndon not only accepted him, but gave him the opportunity to have the same experiences other kids his age, the release stated. 

At Camp Glyndon, Fuchs learned how to manage his disease and, he said, today he enjoys a productive, good quality of life.