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For Aug. 16th, 2020 The countdown is on! In T-minus Camp Agape, deep-clean, move-in, school time. This summer is flying by, but there are a couple more projects yet to be done in the next three weeks before classes commence (and yes… I said three weeks…)! One of the major events many AO members have been working on this summer is the execution of a virtual Camp Agape Northwest. Since 1997, Camp Agape has been providing children with cancer and families a week’s break from life's everyday challenges. Agape is one of the several associated ministries of Jeff and Deb Greer’s, who themselves were parents of a child with cancer.  This year Camp Agape said goodbye to Jeff Greer as they’ve known him since day one, Camp Director. While remaining very much involved, the Greers hope it will be a little more conversational (like perhaps between children and families over milkshakes...) and less administrative than it has been for their many years of service. What more? In order to accommodate the current health crisis and ensure that families still feel loved, camp volunteers are throwing a virtual, Camp Agape spectacular! (insert exclamation points and lots of confetti!) Typically, families can participate in Camp Agape for two years. So while not wanting to miss a summer of fun and Agape love, camp leaders didn’t want this quasi-Camp experience to count toward the two-year attendance limit. This year’s theme of Camp Through the Ages deepens the sense of interconnectedness and familiarity in this uncertain time, with memories of Superheroes, Trolls, Rock ‘n Roll, and other themes alike. As a staging ground for many of the virtual camp’s activities, the AO has been full of life and energy as volunteers pack boxes brimming with crafts, games, goodies, and fun that correspond with each day’s activities. In less than a week, volunteers will be parading down the streets of the Seattle Area in a festive caravan, delivering camp-in-a-box, spreading cheer, and warming hearts. Families will have planned activities for each day, a library of videos / electronic resources to explain games and crafts (or just those that say howdy-hi-hello), and live video time with volunteers. Every year, people come from far and wide to spend this week with families, drawn in by the Spirit and brought back by Agape’s lasting impact. This year would have been no different. But sometimes unconditional love calls us to make sacrifices today that benefit tomorrow. This year, virtual Camp is what that looks like. It’s an unprecedented feat, but it’s all for the love of the families and the kiddos who live everyday life with a health crisis of their own. To learn more about this amazing organization and the people involved, visit our affiliates page under the “About” section, or donate today! After that, it’s really crunch time for the AO folks! All summer long, staff members and students have been working on maintenance projects as is custom for this time of year:
This post begs many-a-mention of Jeff Greer’s talents, one of which is fine woodworking. Whether you’ve walked through our home on your own two feet or merely the website slideshow, you can attest to the beautiful art and woodwork that adorns the Alpha Omega House. Do you see those tall, elegant, way-too-expensive-to-be-living-in-a-college-house, wooden vases in the living room? Well, Jeff made them. The sturdy, I-can-rest-free-of-the-anxiety-that-this-will-crash-down-on-me-in-my-sleep, bunk beds? Yep, Jeff Greer too. He is wonderful. In so many ways, we are blessed to have him as a role model, a leader, and bunk bed maker here at 501 University Ave! And we are so excited to welcome students back into the house, despite all the questions that remain surrounding school this coming year. As almost, kind-of, not really, but in a way mentioned above, AO House leaders are preparing to enter the school year safely and healthily. On top of pre-existing cleaning regimens, this will include things like a quarantine room should the need arise and other COVID-19 safety precautions. Before we can even go there however, we’ve got our own final deep clean before students start showing up! Elbow grease on, toothbrushes out. Nothing feels quite as good as giving this house a little of the lovin’ it gives us all year ‘round! August 16th folks. That’s the day. We’ll be waiting here with open arms (convenient for those whose arms will be full of boxes)! Until then, stay happy, stay healthy. Get that vitamin D! And one last thanks to all of you who participated in our Open House! It was a blast! (And that’s not just the wine talking (our AO House private label wine, that is)). If you missed it or couldn’t attend or just want to relive a super awesome time, you can check out the recording here. And please reach out if you have any questions before the big day >> [email protected] With agape, The AO crew written by Sarah Griffin, former resident.
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10/19/2022 01:46:17 pm
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