On April 16th, Leb and Sue were honored in Chicago by SCOPE Midwest. Along with Barbara and Richard Chernov of Birch Trail Camp for Girls they received a lifetime achievement award for their years of dedication to the camping movement. During the summer we see the work they do at camp, with Leb playing the A-B-C song, Sue as Inspector 12 and both working hard to make the summer special for every camper and staff. What most people don't get to see is the work they both do for the entire camping industry.It was a great evening at the Sheraton as the event was attended both by lots of North Star and Birch Trail folks as well as many others who support SCOPE Midwest. SCOPE works to send needy children to summer camps across the Midwest. While different than the Camp for All Kids Foundation that North Star is involved with, both programs help send kids to camp who otherwise would miss out. Both organizations do important work!
The event itself was lots of fun. In addition to the awards being presented to Leb and Sue, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was on hand to present the Youth Advocate Award to Connie Payton, wife of the late Chicago Bears great Walter Payton. The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation is devoted to helping abused, neglected and underprivileged children. Connie was joined on stage by her children Jarrett and Bridget as they both shared their stories of their time at camp. The over 300 in attendance were told of the summer when Jarrett went through a bout of homesickness (his sister didn't) and pleaded with his dad to come and pick him up. No doubt that if Jarrett's counselors had been through one of Sue's pre-camp sessions they would have helped him no problem!
We wanted to thank all the NSC folks who were in attendance. It was great to spend the evening with both recent NSC Staff as well as some old timers. In addition to Leb, Sue, Andy (and his wife Vickie) and myself, those in attendance with a connection to North Star included Mike Blumberg, Ari Goldberg, Karon Powell, Casey Lowman, Brian Glickman, Jake Segil and Carrie Langford, Nancy Becker, Leslie and Mike Cohen, Michael Geller, Lynette and Rory Gilbert, Arlene and Ray Handler, Michelle and Gary Kretchmer, Valerie and Keith Kretchmer, Mindy and Eddy Leshin, Eunice Lieberstein, Richard and Karen Reisin, and Lisa and Mark Schulman. Many others were unable to attend but were generous with their financial contributions to SCOPE Midwest. Thanks to everyone for their support!
Special thanks to North Shore Photography for the pic of Leb and Sue!
