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As Giving Tuesday approaches, it comes with a simple invitation. It asks us to pause, look around, and remember that every act of giving has the power to change a life. Giving Tuesday is described as a global generosity movement that unlocks possibility within people and communities. At Camp Kee-Mo-Kee, that idea feels familiar. We see generosity every summer in the way campers share their joy, staff share encouragement, and volunteers share time they could have spent elsewhere. Giving is not just something we do; it is part of who we are as a community. Across many faith traditions, giving sits at the heart of spiritual life: In Christianity, generosity reflects the belief that God is the ultimate giver, and tithing or offering time and skills becomes a way of responding to that gift. In Islam, giving is both a responsibility and a joy. Zakat ensures that wealth is shared with those who need it most, while voluntary giving comes from kindness and compassion. Hinduism teaches dāna as a practice that helps overcome selfishness and lifts both the giver and the receiver. In Judaism, tzedakah is more than charity; it is justice, a commitment to helping create a fairer world. Buddhism speaks of dāna as well, encouraging the giving of material support, teachings, and protection. Sikhism calls upon its followers to serve, to give, and to care for others as a daily expression of faith. Though these traditions differ in language and practice, they share a quiet truth. Giving is not measured by the size of the gift but by the intention behind it. It grows through time spent with someone who needs support. It shows up when someone uses their unique talent to help another. It lives in simple acts of kindness, especially the ones offered with no expectation in return. A line from Joseph and Nathan Segal captures this beautifully: “From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, and from this we live.” Generosity is not a one-way path. It is a circle. We give because someone once gave to us. We receive so that we can offer something forward. As Giving Tuesday arrives, we invite you to consider a gift to our community. This could be a financial donation, your time and skill as a volunteer, items from our wishlist, or simply sharing your love of camp with those around you. Every action and every offering matters. Each donation helps a child discover belonging. Each act of kindness keeps our community warm and vibrant. Each gift, big or small, becomes part of the shared life that sustains us. We wish you a warm, joyful, and peaceful end to 2025, and all the best as we look ahead to 2026. In kindness and gratitude for camp, Carter Mahoney / Executive Director
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