Neil Willenson To “Pass the Torch” at One Heartland
I have been on a near 20 year journey in the HIV cause. I could not have imagined doing anything else the past two decades. The highs and lows have been extreme. Just this week at the One Heartland Center, we planted a tree in memory of former camper and counselor Tanya Torres. Yet, I have also had the incredible privilege of watching the majority of our past campers mature into adulthood. Every step of this journey you have been with me. If not in person at camp every summer, I know you feed One Heartland with your passion, compassion and commitment.
When Camp Heartland was founded in 1993, we envisioned a one-time, one-week summer camp session for children affected by HIV/AIDS. This organization has grown far beyond my dreams. Despite the economy, we continue to serve more children with HIV/AIDS than any other known camp.
As I enter my 20th year in the HIV cause, come closer to my 40th birthday and look at additional ways to cut expenses at One Heartland, I have made the difficult decision to step out of the role of CEO in late September 2010.
I have accepted a position as Vice President of Community Relations at a leading manufacturing company in Wisconsin. This position allows me to continue my work in philanthropy and community organizing. Yet one thing is for certain, I will remain a passionate advocate for Camp Heartland and One Heartland for many years to come.
With that in mind, I am pleased to announce the formation of our Founder’s Council. This is a Council of our most dedicated contributors and volunteers including a large number of past summer volunteers. In the near future, I will share more details about this Council.
I also want to take this opportunity to inform you that with my full recommendation and support, our Board of Directors has offered Patrick Kindler, our current Director of Program Services, a job as the new Executive Director of One Heartland. Patrick will take the helm of the organization later this year following a brief interim period lead by Board President Jeff Maiken.
Patrick has a wealth of experience in camping, education and more. Most notably, Patrick has over 15 years of experience in Curriculum and Program Development and 19 impressive years of experience working at camps, retreat centers, outdoor education centers and multicultural education centers. As our Director of Program Services, the organization grew to operate a record 7 sessions of HIV camping for youth and families at our home in Minnesota and at rented sites in Malibu and New York. Patrick and Camp Director Jill Rudolph were responsible for the launch of new camp sessions for other social isolated populations including homeless children, foster children, those with Type 2 diabetes and those who identify as GLBTQA.
I had a chance to see my inspiration, Nile, recently. I really am in awe of him. As he has grown from a five year old boy who loves the Ninja Turtles to a confident, married 24 year old Minister – our organization has evolved as well. Thank you for your significant contributions to our growth, survival and future achievements. Words cannot fully describe how much I appreciate what you have provided One Heartland over the years.
Best Always,
Neil
See Neil on Dateline NBC – Link to Full Episode
The efforts of Neil Willenson, Kapco’s Jim Kacmarcik and 1000 volunteers were profiled by Dateline NBC on Sunday, March 28, 2010. In this hour-long special, correspondent Ann Curry showed how a community came together to transform the home and lives of one incredible family. Click here to view the entire show. Special thanks to the 300 people who attended the screening of the Dateline NBC program at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center.
Summer Discount on Neil’s Speaking Engagements
We are currently booking Neil’s “Make Your Life Count” keynote presentation at events across the United States. If you book Neil for any new speeches from July through December, you will receive a 10 percent discount. Contact Janet Osherow at agent@neilwillenson.com for more details.
“It’s always the right time to do the right thing.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
