For over 100 years, the Neighborhood Center has provided a helping hand to residents in Camden. But after a devastating fire, organizers at the center say they’re now in need of some help themselves.
Last month, the bus used to transport children at the Center’s summer adventure camp caught fire and was completely destroyed. With around 100 kids attending the camp, the program is now at risk of being cut.
“It’s a dire emergency,” said Sarina DiBiance, who works at the center. “We not only pick the children up and drop them off, we also take them to the Pinelands twice a week so they can swim and visit nature.”
In addition to the summer camp, the Neighborhood Center also provides childcare for local residents and feeds the homeless. With so many activities, the program does not have the funds to purchase a new bus, which costs $100,000, or lease one, which costs $1,000 a month.
They are now asking the public for donations. So far they’ve only raised $370 however. With schools starting to close and the start date for summer camp fast approaching, they have little time left to reach their goal.
“What may happen is some programs may get slighted and pushed to the backburner,” DiBiance said.
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