My Nonprofit Reviews

In these strange and trying times - with so many unknowns - I have often circled back to what I DO know for sure; that a life filled with creativity, rewarding work, laughter and love with family and friends, and new opportunities to learn, contribute, take risks, explore and grow are at the crux of what matters most to me.

I am a JACF/A Thousand Summer's supporter and Trustee because I know that camp can help teach kids what matters most… and that magical summers spent in the wilderness can make a real and enduring difference in a young person’s life. I believe that this organization's commitment to helping build confidence, character, grit and soul - for a lifetime - reaches well beyond each camper we get to know and winds its way deep into their families and communities. If only every child could experience the challenging, joyful, awesome experience of attending a fantastic wilderness camp, our world would be changed for the better.

As a kid, I was lucky enough to attend an extended-stay wilderness camp in the Rocky Mountains for three glorious years. This was made possible through the generosity of a family friend, as my own family would never have been able to afford it. As an adult -- knowing how much camp had shaped and inspired me - I become a donor to the John Austin Cheley Foundation. In addition to being a donor, I am now a proud board member of JACF. I am honored to be able to "pay it forward", helping send wonderful kids to wonderful camps through this organization that runs so incredibly effectively and efficiently with a tiny and committed staff, big hearts, smart strategies, dedicated volunteers and generous donors!
As Edward Abbey wisely noted, "Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit" and the John Austin Cheley Foundation is providing this necessity to deserving kiddos, nationwide.

I am proud to be a member of The John Austin Cheley Foundation’s (JACF) Board of trustees. Our staff, our volunteers, our board and our campers’ parents form an amazing and committed group of dedicated folks working to help send terrific kids to life-changing, wilderness-based, adventure summer camps all over the nation. These are highly motivated kids who would not be able to swing the “camp experience”, financially, but who get to attend because of JACF. As a result of attending camp, they report back to us with tales of increased confidence, grit and independence — as well as heartfelt stories filled with laughter, love, vulnerability and friendships that will last a lifetime. JACF funds these kids for as many years as they are able to attend summer camp, building on the personal growth and bonds of friendship with each summer of fun and adventure. We believe that these fantastic kids — along with their supportive families and some help from The John Austin Cheley Foundation — will change lives and strive for amazing goals… because their lives have been permanently changed by the wonders and challenges of the camp experience. Camp changes lives… and the John Austin Cheley Foundation makes camp possible for terrific kids.