On September 8th a
hundred YMCA Camp Ingersoll alumni, friends, and family gathered under the
Grand Pavilion for the second annual Camp Ingersoll Gala to honor Henry Coe’s
40 years of outstanding service. Henry
worked with seven Outdoor Center Directors during his tenure and they shared
their great admiration and respect for his contributions to YMCA Camp Ingersoll
with a written tribute published in the Gala Program. Excerpts of their written remarks tell the
story of Henry’s amazing 40 years!
Vinnie Marturano,
Camp Director 1970’s - “Henry was values
based and lived his life in a manner consistent with the Y’s character
values.”
Carl Rodenhizer, Camp Director
1980’s - “Henry made sure camp was a special place for counselors who came to
make a difference and campers who came for the adventure.”
Dave Jacob, Camp Director 1980’s - “Henry was the one person who continued and fostered the history and magic of the Camp Ingersoll experience.”
Dave Jacob, Camp Director 1980’s - “Henry was the one person who continued and fostered the history and magic of the Camp Ingersoll experience.”
Michele Rulnick,
Camp Director 1990’s - “What I learned
from Henry transcends how to run a great day camp, he taught me the value of
traditions that instill a sense of community, inclusion, and pride.”
Patrick Connelly,
Camp Director 2000’s - “Henry was able to teach me; about running a day camp,
for sure, but also about being open-minded, compassionate, thoughtful and
generous.”
Patrick Connelly served as the
evenings host and facilitated a tribute to Henry’s many years of service that
included a moving speech from his daughter and camp alumni Krista Cerrano, a slideshow,
a Patrick Connelly solo and the sharing of funny and inspirational Henry Coe camp stories. Henry was also presented with a retired
jersey (old camp staff shirt) and plaque that will hang on the wall of
fame. To conclude the celebration a group
of camp alumni sang and acted out a version of Green Grow the Rushes Ho inviting Henry to join them for the grand
finale!
The Gala helped raised over $10,000
in support of the Henry Coe Gathering Place
thanks to the generosity of our lead sponsors Aetna,
Middle Oak and the Durham Fair Association and additional sponsorship from BlumShapiro,
Durham Manufacturing, and CT Lighting. Special thanks and appreciation are also due
to the countless local restaurants and businesses that donated to our silent
auction and balloon game. The Gathering Place
will seat close to 750 campers and staff during our traditional opening and
closing flag ceremonies as well as during special events. Those
interested in supporting this project can purchase bricks and benches and be
part of camp history. Additional
information on how to purchase bricks and benches can be found at http://midymca.org/images/50th%20recognition%20levels.pdf
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