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A Rainbow World

JCC's Camp KAT raises funds
for children with special needs.

Elizabeth Applebaum

Special to the Jewish News

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Below: Griffin Siegel, 7, of West
Bloomfield

Stacy Ductzkowski, 35, of Farmington, Maggie Wasvary, 11, of Franklin
and Abby Fisher, 12, of Bloomfield Hills

Elizabeth Applebaum is a marketing spe-
cialist for the Jewish Community Center of

MEMBBR

AMERICAN
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SOCIETY'

Metropolitan Detroit.

Maya Keen, 4, of West Bloomfield

1373840

A24 March 20 • 2008

t was a bright and beautiful world
at the Jewish Community Center
of Metropolitan Detroit's Camp
KAT (Kids All Together), a fundraiser to
benefit children with special needs, held
late last month in West Bloomfield. The
event attracted more 500 men, women
and children from throughout the metro
area and raised $125,000 for inclusion
programs at the Center Day Camp, pre-
school and vacation break camp.
"Some families were Jewish; some
were not. We had families with a child
who had autism; others with just typical
kids:' said KAT Director Ann Patronik.
"It truly was a day for everyone!"
The JCC lobby was filled with kid stuff:
inflatables for jumping and a huge red,
blue and yellow Velcro wall for climbing;
golf lessons with a pro; a magic perfor-
mance and a live animal show including
a charming little mouse; slot-car racing;
face painting; arts-and-crafts. The gym
hosted plenty of sports, including a popu-
lar basketball tournament for parents and
children, while Handleman Hall featured
dancing with Star Trax.
Whole Foods, like many vendors,
donated its services and provided fresh
fruit in the lobby, where parents met up
with old friends at the cappuccino. and
popcorn stations. It was a rare warm day
in this seemingly endless winter, and
guests arrived early and stayed late.
Among those making a big splash:
Sparty, the Michigan State University
mascot (who, despite his rather bulky
shape, proved to be masterful on the
dance floor), Clifford the Big Red Dog,
the Tigers' mascot Paws and the Pistons'
mascot Hooper. In a bit more subdued
ensemble (his Camp KAT T-shirt),
but equally popular, was Ed Narens of
Franklin, who, together with his wife,
Judie, is one of KAT's biggest supporters.
"In fact, KAT couldn't exist without
him and his family (children Barb, Jim,
Margot, Bill, Lea and grandchildren):'
Patronik said. "This whole day was their
idea." ❑

Right: Madison Narens, 7, of
Bloomfield Hills

IN