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After my son's Bar Mitzvah at Franklin Athletic
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daughter's Bat Mitzvah. Now, with my third
daughter, there is no doubt, that this will be
another incredible party at Franklin!
Jodi
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42
September 9 • 2010
JN
Bucking Cancer from page 41
Respite From Cancer
Indeed, Camp Casey offers three
programs — all free to children
with cancer and their families and
completely funded by donations.
It started with Cowboy Camp
Outs, mini vacations at dude ranch-
es in Michigan, that take place two
or three times a year. But when one
child became ill at the event, they
later brought the horse to her —
inventing Horsey House Calls.
It took the donation of a horse,
and enough money to house and
transport him, before it became
an ongoing part of the program.
"This is our second summer doing
this and we do it very regularly,"
Melamed says.
Although the Pennanens' have
a large backyard and their guests
were invited, Camp Casey also goes
into areas where they may have to
cordon off the street to have room
for a bridle path. "We make it work,"
Melamed says, "especially in Detroit,
and then it can really involve the
whole neighborhood."
When it's too cold to ride, Camp
Casey offers Outlaw Outings — spe-
cial family trips to apple orchards,
pumpkin patches, ice skating rinks,
professional sports games and the-
ater performances.
"It's another way for families to
do things together without having to
pay, plan or do anything, Melamed
says.
"Camp Casey fills the gaps in a
nonprofit system that reaches a lot
of children, but it does so in a way
that is unique and very personal;'
according to Jonathan Cohen (no
relation to Adam), who served as the
board's treasurer and was a regular
volunteer until he left his business
consulting job for a stint teaching
English in Seoul, Korea.
"Riding the horses can provide
the children with new vigor and
confidence; horses are known to be
very therapeutic," Jonathan wrote in
an e-mail message. "And for children
who have most times never ridden
a horse, manning this strong and
intimidating animal can provide a
new confidence in their fight against
the diseases they are afflicted with.
"This was my first experience
working with a grassroots nonprofit,
and it has truly changed my out-
look on many things," he explains.
"To have people who truly want to
help out the community makes this
world a better place."
Expansion Plans
Melamed, who lives in Ferndale, is
busy drumming up funding and
working on a business plan to expand
Camp Casey to other states when she
isn't teaching at Equilibrium Pilates
Studio in Bloomfield Hills.
"The studio has really embraced
Camp Casey',' she says. "Owner Nancy
Hodari has not only hosted fundrais-
ers but also encouraged me to explore
my Jewish roots."
That culminated in a Birthright trip
to Israel last January — a journey
"that changed things for me:' says
Melamed, the daughter of a Jewish
dad and a Catholic mom. "It made
me feel very Jewish and connected to
Israel."
Indeed, her recent marriage to Nick
Reeser, who is in medical school at
Wayne State University, took place
outside a barn in western Michigan,
complete with a chuppah that she and
a friend constructed.
"I love that Molly is such a great
example of the ability of one person
to have a passion, develop an idea
and bring it to fruition:' says Hodari,
who lives in Birmingham and is on
the board of Temple Israel in West
Bloomfield. "Her goal isn't to raise
millions for research, but rather to
raise the spirit and bring smiles to
sick children."
Meanwhile, back at his surprise
Horsey House Call, Will took a last
ride, telling Moe to "Giddyap."
"He's had ups and downs — he
couldn't walk very well;' says his mom,
Dana. "It's great to see him have all
this energy."
Camp Casey At A Glance
• A Birmingham-based nonprofit
agency (401ck) that offers a
cost-free horseback riding and
activities program for kids with
cancer and their families;
• Commemorates Casey Foote,
who died of bone and brain cancer
in 2003 at 12 years old;
• Founded by native Metro
Detroiter Molly Melamed in 2004
when she was a sophomore at
Michigan State University;
• Serves children ages 2-16 (and
siblings of any age) with all types
of cancer;
• For more information or to make
a donation, visit www.CampCasey.
org or call (248) 705-2780.