A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
March 01, 2008

Hello to all members of the Friends of San Jose Family Camp and other visitors to the Friends' Website.

Following a successful 2007 camping season(special compliments for food service, maintenance of facilities and camp staff members), we are looking forward to 2008. While camp attendance levels were still down in 2007, city staff and the Friends are exploring ways to increase camp participation, particularly during the mid-week time periods.

Art Catbagan, who has prior experience with Camp during 2004-2005, has taken over for Art Rosales in overseeing San Jose Family Camp for the City of San Jose. Camp Manager Gil Dovalina and his assistant, Joe Garvin, will both return again this year.

The Friends again contributed thousands of volunteer hours throughout the year to the camp, particularly at the major work weekends in May and June (the dates and application forms to Fish Camp and the major work parties can be found on the website). In addition, the Friends again donated free donuts and coffee at camp registration in March and conducted a fund-raising raffle during the year with a number of great prizes, including an overnight stay and brunch at a San Jose Hilton hotel and premium varietal wines from Lunardi's Market. We will do the same in 2008.

During 2007, the Friends also raised funds from their concession stand at the Strawberry Festival during the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. A $2000.00 stock donation and matching funds were used by the Friends to purchase new patio furniture cushions for the camp. One of the ice machines was repaired, thus negating the necessity of buying a new one. The Friends are currently asking for donations for a new milk dispenser for camp. See details elsewhere on the website and "Happy Moo Year".

Finally, the Friends will again provide complimentary specialty coffees on the the patio deck on weekends during the regular camping season.

We shall look forward to seeing you at camp this year!

Garry W. Solmonson
President,
Friends of San Jose Family Camp