UPDATE on June 10th - Thanks to a generous donation from H-Mart, we are able to add a Korean cooking class for other camp counselors and volunteers this year. We'll be spending an evening away making jumeokbap (rice balls) and munching on Korean snacks!
Also, please consider using this link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-4652789 when you make a purchase from Amazon next time. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price to CulinaryCorps.
Thank you for your kind heart and for your donation. If you haven't done so already, please help! In return, I'll do my best to bring lots of smiles at Camp Sunshine!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today, I'm writing to tell you about my summer trip and ask for your support.
I have recently been selected as a chef-volunteer for CulinaryCorps. It is the nation's first service organization designed specifically for culinary professionals. This summer, I am honored and excited to be part of their week-long culinary outreach trip to Camp Sunshine in Maine which supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
I'll join a team of ten CulinaryCorps chefs who will provide a culinary program during the camp's oncology/hematology session from July 5th to 11th. The program includes healthful food and ingredient education, hands-on cooking instruction, a wild afternoon of Family Foodie Olympics and much-anticipated Top Chef Sunshine competition.
It is our hope that the kids and their families learn culinary knowledge that they can take home through our cooking program, but most importantly, we hope that they can just be kids and have delicious fun for a week of camping.
To purchase the food and equipment necessary to bring this culinary program to life for over 120 campers, every trip is subsidized by generous donations from friends, family and colleagues of the chef-volunteers themselves. My personal fundraising goal is to raise $825 for the organization, $275 of which I have already contributed personally. Would you consider making a donation to help me meet the remainder of my goal?
As a 100% volunteer-run organization, all funds go directly toward our trip logistics and every dollar is greatly appreciated. For more information about the organization, please visit www.culinarycorps.org.
DONATION INSTRUCTIONS
To donate online, please visit:
https://www.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=26-4652789
In the 'Dedicate My Donation' section, please type in my name Shin Kim in the 'Honoree' box so that my fundraising effort can be tracked.
To donate by check:
Please make it payable to Culinary Corps Inc. and write "Shin Kim, 2014 Trip" in the memo.
Please send the check to:
CulinaryCorps Inc.
3133 Connecticut Ave NW #324
Washington, DC 20008
PLEASE NOTE: All online donations will receive an electronic receipt of donation for tax purposes. Check donations over $250 will automatically receive a receipt within 60 days of donation.
The post is already long and my appreciation runs deep. In case you're wondering why I became interested in this program, I am disclosing my email to the trip leader of the CulinaryCorps after our phone interview.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear ***
It was great talking to you on the phone yesterday. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about the camp. I could sense your enthusiasm and commitment to the program through the phone.
I just want to tell you one more thing. For some reason, I had a hard time bringing it up over the phone, but the more I thought about it, I thought I should just tell you want's really on my mind.
As you may know, a ferry capsized on the sea of South Korea on April 16th. I was shocked and confused along with everyone who heard the news. While the recovery effort still continues, some 300 people are dead or presumed dead from the accident at this point.
I've always believed - regardless of any religious convictions - that when so much sadness and tears happen, meaningful smiles and laughters should be created to keep our lives in balance. Then I happened to see the CulinaryCorps' Camp Sunshine announcement two days after the ferry news and I couldn't stop thinking about it since.
While it's not feasible for me to go help with the recovery effort or comfort the families who've lost their sons and daughters in the ferry disaster, I'd like to do what I can 'in my neighborhood.' I'd like to take part in CulinaryCorps' Camp Sunshine and help the children with life-threatening illnesses and their families have a great time and create smiles and laughters. Cooking and sharing food have been the best way I know how to make that happen. That's why I'd like to be a part of your team this summer.
I look forward to hearing the good news from you. During your decision making process, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Kind regards,
Shin
