Med Student Fundraiser to Keep Camp Tiger Free to Families
Leslie Capo, Director of Information Services
The Camp Tiger Benefit Auction - the major fundraiser supporting the free, weeklong summer day camp for children with special needs in the metropolitan New Orleans and Baton Rouge communities - is Friday, March 6, 2020, from 7 - 11 p.m., at Club XLIV- Champions Square in New Orleans. Camp Tiger is planned, organized, staffed, and funded by the efforts of first-year students at the School of Medicine. The medical students have set a fundraising goal of $180,000 to underwrite the cost of the camp so it can remain free to campers and their families. All proceeds go directly to running Camp Tiger.
For a donation of $65 per person, the evening promises to be full of fun and bargains with food donated by local restaurants including Acme Oyster House, Oceana Grill and Deanie's Seafood, among others. Dance to the music of the Rockenbraughs, whose members include Dr. Dan Nuss, professor and chairman of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery. Spectacular silent and live auctions will feature a host of fun and useful items. Up for bid will be vacation packages to such exotic locales as Bali, South Africa, St. Thomas, Cabo San Lucas, and closer to home, Napa Valley; original works by local artists; restaurant gift certificates; jewelry; signed sports memorabilia, including a priceless NFL football signed by Steve Gleason; two tickets to walk down victory lane with Tiger Band at LSU versus Mississippi State football game; a football signed by LSU Coach O; a basketball signed by LSU Coach Wade; a performance by Steelhouse Band worth $4,000; and so much more. It's a great place to shop for birthday, holiday, anniversary or other gifts as well as splurging on yourself while helping to make a unique and meaningful outreach program possible.
While adjusting to their first year of medical school, students plan the Camp Tiger Benefit Auction; solicit donations including the evening's food offerings and hundreds of auction items; book the location; hire the entertainment; and set up, staff and tear down the event. At the same time, they are planning and making all of the arrangements for this year's Camp Tiger, which will be May 18-22, 2020.
LSU SOM students volunteer their time as counselors and staff for the camp. The ratio of counselors to campers is 2:1. About 130 campers are expected to participate this year. The registration deadline for Camp Tiger 2020 is April 10, 2020.
Camp Tiger was founded in 1985 by first-year students from the school. Its mission is to give mentally and physically challenged children an enjoyable summer camp experience. For the campers, this may be their only chance to socialize with other children without being singled out for their disabilities. This camp lets campers be “just one of the kids” and provides them with the freedom to play, socialize and express themselves as healthy, vibrant children. Since its inception, Camp Tiger has benefited over 2,200 children from the Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas.
The medical students look forward to the opportunity to work with these exceptional children and serve the community. Besides continuing our tradition of community outreach, Camp Tiger gives first-year and incoming first-year LSU Health New Orleans medical students an opportunity to begin to understand and work with some of the medical conditions they may encounter during their professional careers.
For more information about Camp Tiger and the fundraiser auction, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.lsuhsc.edu/orgs/camptiger.