Melwood Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Camp Accomplish, Raises $77,647 with Community Barbecue Fundraiser

June 23, 2023

Melwood commemorates 25 years of providing inclusive summer camp for children with and without disabilities

Upper Marlboro, Md. – On Saturday, June 17, 2023, Melwood, a leading employer, advocate, and preferred provider for people with disabilities, hosted a community barbecue event to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Camp Accomplish, the organization’s fully-inclusive and accessible summer camp for children with and without disabilities.

Presented by title sponsor the Wills Group, the parent company of Dash In,  the event brought community leaders, Camp Accomplish families, and donors together to share stories and reflect on the impact of Melwood’s groundbreaking approach to inclusive, empowering camp programming.

The event also served as a fundraiser for Camp Accomplish and its key programs. In addition to the Wills Group/Dash In, Melwood would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Ribeiro Construction, Southgate – Clinton Lions Club, Curley Company, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Taishoff Family Foundation, Top Dog Services, Bolana Enterprises, Inc., The Waldorf Jaycees, Scott & Marion Gibson, Brad Spencer, Mike & Nicole Bellis, C&C Meat Sales, Mark Hegarty, Suzanna Kang, Ann Morgan, Heather & Tim Sherman, George Torggler, and Steve Weiss.

“Over the past 25 years, Camp Accomplish has profoundly transformed the lives of our campers with and without disabilities,” said Larysa Kautz, president and CEO of Melwood. “I have been fortunate to witness firsthand the ways that these programs instill a new sense of confidence in children, helping them to believe in themselves and connect in community with other kids. We are proud of the change that Camp Accomplish is driving at every level, from individuals and communities today, to raising a more inclusive, empathetic generation for the future.”

“We are honored to support Melwood’s Camp Accomplish and the significant work they are doing to enrich the lives of children with and without disabilities and their families.” said Wills Group President & Chief Operating Officer, Julian B. (Blackie) Wills, III. “The Wills Group is particularly inspired by the impact of Melwood’s Seed to Table and culinary education programs for its young campers. This inspirational program aligns with the Wills Group’s ongoing efforts to Nourishing Children and Families. We welcome the opportunity to support Melwood and Camp Accomplish with this year’s $20,000 grant, the first annual grant in support of our five-year $100,000 commitment.”

Melwood’s Camp Accomplish uniquely brings children with and without disabilities together to explore, discover, learn, play and connect, with a focus on inclusion over isolation. Camp activities include water activities, ropes course challenges, equestrian therapy and more. This summer, Melwood’s Camp Accomplish is offering day and overnight options, running from June 26 – August 18.

For more information on Camp Accomplish and how you can get involved, please visit melwood.org/camp.

About Wills Group, Inc.

Headquartered in La Plata, Maryland, the Wills Group has nearly 300 retail locations across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Dash In, Splash In ECO Car Wash, and SMO Motor Fuels. A family-owned company since 1926 with expertise in convenience retailing, fuels marketing, and commercial real estate, the Wills Group prides itself on keeping customers, employees, and communities’ Lives in Motion. For more information about the Wills Group, visit willsgroup.com.