LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Camp Good Days and Special Times upon
the occasion of its 30th Anniversary

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for
their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and
publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic
humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Camp
Good Days and Special Times upon the occasion of its 30th Anniversary;
and
WHEREAS, After Elizabeth "Teddi" Mervis was diagnosed with a malignant
brain tumor at the age of nine, her father, Gary Mervis, traveled across
the country to major medical centers seeking the best possible treatment
for his daughter; and
WHEREAS, Returning home without the answers he had been looking for,
Gary Mervis realized that it was not the medical procedures that were
causing his daughter the most pain, but the loneliness of being the only
child in her school and neighborhood dealing with cancer; and
WHEREAS, With the help and support of many friends and community
members in the greater Rochester region, Gary Mervis founded Camp Good
Days and Special Times, Inc., a not-for-profit organization designed to
provide Teddi and other children with cancer the opportunity to come
together in a residential camping experience and be with the only ones
who could truly understand what they were going through, other children
with cancer; and
WHEREAS, The fourth organization of its kind in the United States,
Camp Good Days and Special Times was the first to be started by a lay
person; it maintains accreditation from the American Camp Association
and has been inducted into the Safety 1st Hall of Fame by Markel Insur-
ance Company; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1979, Camp Good Days has served more
than 41,000 campers from 22 states and 25 foreign countries and become
one of the largest organizations of its kind, with many of its programs
and services being used as models for other cancer treatment centers and
organizations around the world; and
WHEREAS, Today, Camp Good Days and Special Times remains dedicated to
improving the quality of life for children and families whose lives have
been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges through
residential camping experiences held at its beautiful Recreational
Facility on Keuka Lake; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Camp Good Days and Special Times offers year-
round, recreational and support activities and events across Upstate New
York in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and the Southern Tier Region for
families who are facing life's toughest challenges; and
WHEREAS, All of the programs and services provided by Camp Good Days
and Special Times are offered free of charge for the participants so as
not to place any additional financial burden on the families served; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by Camp Good Days and Special Times is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported its development over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff and volun-
teers at Camp Good Days and Special Times, whose involvement is and has
always been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their
efforts on behalf of the organization; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication, and successful
efforts, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to Camp Good Days and Special Times; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Camp Good Days and Special Times upon the occasion of its 30th
Anniversary, fully confident that this outstanding altruistic organiza-
tion will continue to enjoy the sparkling success which has so charac-
terized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Camp Good Days and Special Times.