Camp Kemo Fundraiser
The last Sunday of SOS has become synonymous with Fat Harold’s Camp Kemo fundraiser. This year marks the 25th year that Harold has done this, but his involvement with the camp goes back even further. In 1980 a group of doctors and nurses in Columbia hosted an event to raise money for a camp for children who were being treated for cancer at Palmetto Health Richland. Harold attended the fundraiser and took an immediate interest in the success of the program. That year, 45 children attended a day camp intended to provide an outing of fun.
In 1982, Harold began his now-famous fundraiser at the beach in his club. The money he has raised has greatly contributed to the success of the camp. The $500.cost per camper is paid for by donations, and this year there are already 130 campers signed up for the weeklong overnight adventure. Harold visits the camp on “Visitor’s Day” each year to meet and mingle with the children. He laughingly recalls a camper running up to him, exclaiming, “Thank you, Mr. Fat Harold! Because of you, I got to come to camp and get away from my mean brother at home!” Actually, the campers can bring a sibling or best friend with them to camp. This little guy must have chosen the friend!
Camp Kemo has a volunteer staff. 40 counselors, many of whom were previous campers themselves, generously give their time and talents to provide one week of fun for these kids who are in the midst of a struggle many adults will never have to face. There is a portable emergency room and ambulance at the camp, and there are 6 “med calls” daily when the campers receive their medications. Church groups and local restaurants provide snacks. Activities include arts and crafts, wood- working, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, kayaking, tubing on Lake Murray, a dance with a dj, and music. Woody Wolfe, a musician from Pennsylvania, has been volunteering every summer for almost 20 years! This year, Camp Kemo will have a parade with floats that will travel through the heart of Columbia! After, the kids board busses for the return trip to camp with a police escort. Guess who the Grand Marshall of the parade will be…Fat Harold!
“Harold Bessent is simply a blessing,” quotes Jeanne Schmidt, director of Camp Kemo. “He has helped hundreds and hundreds of children and their families. While he may not know every camper’s name, he recognizes the importance of the week. He never asks for anything in return. His smile says it all!”
When Harold began this philanthropic effort, he never dreamed that one day he would have a family member who would be a candidate for Camp Kemo. In 1991 and ‘92, his own grandson David attended Camp Kemo. Sadly, David died a few years later; but that experience furthered Harold’s love for Camp Kemo in the most personal way of all.
This year Harold will present a check to Camp Kemo for $102,000. He is the largest single donor in the history of the camp. Twenty-fifth anniversaries typically are considered silver anniversaries, but Harold Bessent’s heart is pure gold!! |
