Incarnation Center Executive Director Seeks Help From Citizens

Press release from Incarnation Center:

Dec. 18, 2020

Dear Friends,

I’m sure we can all agree that we are looking forward to the end of 2020. As you know, the pandemic took a significant toll on the operations of the Center. I am incredibly grateful to the donors who contributed in our time of need. Thank you for your gifts, kind words, and support.

While we weren’t able to offer the overnight summer camp program this year, our staff managed to pull together a 10 week COVID-free day camp. By the fourth session, we had a waiting list. The attention that was given to the program and the campers in order to keep everyone safe was incredible. I can’t say enough about the staff of Incarnation who came together in our time of need to pull off an unforgettable summer.

The lack of business this fall and winter will present us with more obstacles. Bushy Hill relies on daily field trips which simply aren’t happening. The Conference Department depends on large weekend groups, which also aren’t happening. A long time staple on our property each fall, Nature’s Classroom, is not running this year. With the uncertainty of summer camps for 2021, we need your help.

Now I can share with you what we ARE doing! Since May, we have been offering childcare to essential employees and families who need to work. We welcomed the St. Thomas Choir School to the property for the first 6 weeks of their school year. The Steward School is in full swing having just returned from a trip down the Connecticut River! We are in the final stages of prep and nearly ready to unveil a day school option for local families.

While the visitors to our Center have decreased, the workload for our staff continues as we seek to keep current programs in operation and innovate to meet the needs of our community during these trying times. With over 750 acres of trails, miles of water lines and 40 buildings, we also remain busy with projects and routine maintenance. I ask that you please consider supporting us financially, so that there is no lapse in care for the Center.

Finally, I want to reassure all of you that we have worked to ensure that our endowment remains intact. Through your generous donations, various federal programs and support from other organizations we survived the first wave of the shutdown. Please know that while our day to day operations remain in limbo, I have never lost sight of the future and ensuring that this historic institution will be around and vibrant for many years to come.

I hope that you will consider a year-end gift to the Center. Gifts can be made easily online, via Venmo (@incarnationcenter) or by check mailed to: Incarnation Center, PO Box 577, Ivoryton, CT 06442.

With gratitude,

Nancy Nygard Pilon
Executive Director

This press release was produced by Incarnation Center. The views expressed here are the author's own.