Biondo Foundation makes preparations for the new summer camp season

MILFORD — The Ingeborg A. Biondo Memorial Foundation’s Camp Committee is busy putting plans in place for the upcoming season of summer camp for children with special challenges and their families and caregivers. The Biondo Foundation was created by Joseph R. Biondo, Principal of Biondo Investment Advisors of Milford, PA, as a living memorial to his wife, Ingeborg A. Biondo, whose life ended in 1979 in an automobile accident. Her life was defined by her passion for her four children and her desire to help children with special needs. Established as a small program providing camp funding for a few children with physical, neurological or developmental challenges, the Foundation’s camping program has seen consistent growth and now underwrites the cost for many children from the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey to experience summer camp. Joe and his wife, Ronnie, work with devoted board members to bring together typical children and children with special needs in a camp setting where each can learn about the other. Last year, 109 children attended regional summer camps through the program during which they made new friends, gained increased self confidence and participated in many life-enriching experiences. The Biondo Foundation also sponsors a camping experience for families and their specially challenged children at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), based in the Water Gap recreation area. “We send the parents and children together to spend a weekend at camp,” said Camp Committee member Marion Almquist. “For many, the PEEC Family Camp Weekend might be the only chance the family gets to simply have fun, in a camp setting, without the additional responsibilities of everyday life. The parents get to see their kids enjoying themselves, at play on a boat or slide. The whole point is for them to have fun together. We’re pleased to make that possible.” This year, the Foundation’s Family Camp Weekend will be May 30 - June 1. The Biondo Foundation supports other services such as those provided by the Center for Developmental Disabilities, whose goal is to make the world more welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. A year-round Respite Care Program is another Biondo Foundation program providing caregivers and family members with restorative time, as well as scholarship and internship programs for individuals considering going into the special needs field of study. Visit www.biondofoundation.org for more information about The Ingeborg A. Biondo Foundation, or to download camp applications, respite care applications and scholarship applications. To lend your support and sponsor a child for camp, please contact program coordinator Maria Crawford at 570-686-2402.