It's with a heavy heart that I write this blog to honor the life of Fran Murphy, a man whose time at Camp Good Days touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him...

For the past seven years, Camp Good Days has hosted a special weekend program in October called Fall Fest, giving our campers the chance to reconnect with friends beyond the summer months...

It’s hard to believe we’ve just finished the 19th Courage Bowl. Thinking back to when this all started, it seems like only yesterday I was sitting at a red light, watching kids toss a football in the backseat of a car.

The 6th Annual Teddi Bowl was a tremendous success, and I am so thankful to everyone who made this event possible. From the student-athletes and coaches to the volunteers and supporters, it was a night filled with excitement, community spirit, and a shared commitment to making a difference for the children at Camp Good Days...

Every so often, you meet someone whose spirit and presence leave a lasting impression, staying with you long after your paths last crossed. That rang true with Sally Covert. I was caught off guard when I received the call that Sally had passed away...

As I sit on my deck, enjoying the beautiful summer we've had so far, my thoughts turn to the incredible experiences and programs at Camp Good Days. This summer has been filled with moments that remind me why this camp is so special...

This year, for the 4th of July, Wendy and I decided to stay at home with our dog, Elanor, and soak in the beautiful weather. It was a peaceful and enjoyable weekend until Sunday when I was reading the Democrat and Chronicle on my porch and learned of the unexpected passing of my long-time friend, Russ Romano.

As I reflect on today, my heart is full of mixed emotions as we honor and celebrate the birthday of my beloved daughter, Elizabeth "Teddi" Mervis - an extraordinary girl whose courageous battle with cancer and unwavering spirit inspired the founding of Camp Good Days...

I hope everyone had a peaceful Memorial Day weekend, spending quality time with family and friends and taking a few moments to remember and honor the men and women who have served our country.
 

Recently, Channel 8 aired the annual Remarkable Women contest, a wonderful initiative aimed at honoring the outstanding achievements of women within our community. I was thrilled to learn that Wendy, Executive Director of Camp Good Days, was among the four finalists nominated...

Last Saturday, my wife, Wendy, and I had the pleasure of being invited to dinner at the home of our dear friend, Phil Rivaldo. What started as a simple dinner gathering turned into a heartwarming reunion as we found ourselves surrounded by friends and long-serving volunteers of Camp Good Days. Reflecting on the evening, I was struck by the many relationships forged over the years and the profound impact these individuals have had on shaping Camp Good Days into what it is today.

The foundation of Camp Good Days was laid with the unwavering dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of these remarkable individuals. Their commitment to our cause has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am so grateful for their invaluable contributions.

As I sit here today, commemorating the anniversary of Teddi's passing, memories come flooding back to the forefront of my mind. I think back to 1979, the year when Teddi was first diagnosed with cancer, and I first thought of creating a summer camping program. Working in the state assembly at the time often took me to Albany, where one morning, a news story captured my attention. It featured a pediatric oncologist from Michigan who had started a camping program for children undergoing treatment. Witnessing the impact of this program on the lives of these children was both shocking and inspiring.

In an era where discussions about cancer, especially concerning children, were not common practice, the existence of such a camp was revolutionary. It sparked within me the idea to provide Teddi, and children like her, with the opportunity to experience joy, friendship and to also reclaim their childhood from the disease that had stolen it. I was determined to connect with the pediatric oncologist featured on that news segment, a task made challenging in an age without the internet and cell phones. Yet, with the assistance of a dedicated colleague, I obtained the necessary contact information, setting in motion the birth of Camp Good Days.

Fast forward nearly 45 years, and Camp Good Days is a driving force in camps of its kind. Having welcomed over 50,000 campers from across the globe, our impact extends far beyond geographical boundaries. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated friends and volunteers, whose commitment has been the cornerstone of our success.

Sitting amongst friends and supporters at Phil's dinner table, I am reminded of the remarkable journey we have taken together. As the time approaches for me to retire, I am filled with a sense of pride for all that we have accomplished and gratitude for those who have helped me along the way. Saturday night served as a reminder of the profound impact we have made over the past four decades.

This week, Camp Good Days had the incredible opportunity to orchestrate a dream trip for one very lucky camper. Cameron Wright has been a camper with us since the age of six when he joined our day camp, Jr. Good Days. Now at the age of 16, he is embarking on a five-day journey to Orlando, Florida, with his stepdad to enjoy the excitement of the Pro Bowl and explore the wonders of Orlando Studios.

This extraordinary adventure became a reality thanks to the generosity of Paul Sciarratta and his wife Amanda. Remarkably, Paul is not only a benefactor but also a former camper who, during his time at Camp Good Days, experienced a life-changing trip himself – attending the 1994 Super Bowl to cheer on the Buffalo Bills. Touched by this transformative experience, Paul was inspired to pay it forward and ensure that another camper could create lasting memories of their own.

As I reflect on this, I am reminded of the profound progress we have witnessed in the lives of our campers. When I founded Camp Good Days, the dream of many of these children making it to adulthood was filled with hopeful uncertainty. Yet, through the years, advancements in treatments and the unwavering support of our community have allowed us to witness remarkable success stories, like Paul's.

Seeing Paul, now a strong and successful father and husband, and witnessing the happiness he radiates, fills my heart with pride. It is a living testament to the transformative power of Camp Good Days and the lifelong connections forged within our supportive community.

For Cameron, who has grown up with us and faced challenges head-on, this trip is not just a vacation; it is a culmination of years spent building lasting friendships, overcoming obstacles, and creating memories that will stay with him. As Cameron soaks in the excitement of the Pro Bowl, it brings to life the vision I had when founding Camp Good Days – to provide these children with memories that will last them a lifetime.

A special holiday greeting from our founder!

Due to the pandemic, it has been four years since we hosted our Project Exile Community Report, and what used to be an annual event that held great importance was turned into a distant memory. That is why I was so pleased to announce that this year we were able to host the first Project Exile Community Report since 2019 on November 1, 2023.

Project Exile is a joint initiative between local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as various community organizations that strive to decrease the possession of illegal guns and create a safer Rochester community. Rochester was only the second city in the country to implement this program after the homicide rate reached 70 deaths per year in the late 1990s. It is overseen by the Project Exile Advisory Board which meets monthly in the Rochester Federal Building. This program has not only taken thousands of illegal guns off the streets but has also created a level of agency cooperation that is unheard of in other cities. We are happy to say that, in Rochester, our law enforcement agencies, -- whether local or federal, -- work together to keep our streets as safe as possible.

The Project Exile Community Report gives member agencies a platform to speak to the community about gun violence and to report what their agency has done in the past year to combat the issues that plague our city. The highlight of this year’s breakfast was the honor of hosting and hearing from the Director of the ATF, Steven Dettelbach, who served as our keynote speaker. We were thrilled to have him attend thanks to the influence of the local ATF Agent in Charge, Michael Curran, and to hear the valuable information he had to share about ATF’s nationwide fight against gun violence. I was delighted to also have Governor Kathy Hochul and her husband, former US Attorney Bill Hochul, attend. I used to work closely with Bill through Project Exile when he was the US Attorney for the western district, and it was great to see them both in person again.

We opened the event with remarks from Governor Hochul and Director Dettelbach, followed by community reports from the FBI, US Attorney’s Office, US Marshals Service, Department of Public Safety, the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the State Police and more. But by far the most memorable moment of the breakfast for me was when Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter, presented me with the key to the county, and then I was presented with a plaque from Agent Mike Curran on behalf of ATF and RPD. Both were unexpected, but such wonderful surprises. The kind words that were said by both Mike and Adam meant more to me than they will ever know; it truly meant the world and I will cherish both gifts for a long time to come.

The Project Exile Advisory Board will resume in December to continue its much-needed work. We hope to see the day when Project Exile will be of no use and the streets of Rochester are finally safe for our community.  

When you have been the leader of an organization for more than 40 years, the story of life is that the people that were with you in the beginning are nearing the end of their story and as life goes, I was so sad to receive the call last week that Francis Russo had passed away.

I first met Fran in the mid-1960s when we both were working for the City of Rochester Bureau of Parks and Recreation. We hit it off immediately because we were the same age and had a similar experience growing up. We both had hard-working parents, we both lost our Moms when they were much too young, and both of our Dads were quite the characters. We both loved sports and were both just getting started in our careers.

We became very good friends - Fran was always someone I could talk to. As we each moved on from Parks and Recreation, we stayed close and when Teddi got sick, Fran was right there for me. I have never had the patience for numbers, and it was Fran that introduced me to Ray Cordello who worked in the Finance Department for the County of Monroe. I needed Ray’s expertise to start Camp Good Days. People need to have faith in the charity they’re supporting financially and have confidence in knowing their hard-earned dollars are going exactly where they want them to go. Fran and Ray helped me to achieve the 501(c)3 status we needed and made sure that everything was documented and done correctly to go through the Annual Independent Audit that is required of 501(c)3 charitable organizations. Fran, along with Ray, helped us to start and build the Florida Office. He was someone who was the epitome of loyal, trustful, transparent and of the utmost integrity.

Fran continued to stay involved over all these years. As you go through life, you develop two families - the one you’re born with and the one you choose along the way, comprised of those who become very special friends, like Fran.

Fran was so proud of his sons, Patrick and Joe. I used to go watch Patrick play in his football games and Fran was so excited when he got a full ride to play Division I Football at the University of Connecticut. And he was equally so proud of Joe who went on to be a successful businessman. Both his boys brought him so much joy!

On October 1st, we will begin the 44th year of Camp Good Days and Special Times. If Fran wasn’t there in the very beginning to help me, there wouldn’t be a Camp Good Days. It is because of Fran, and so many others like him, that we have been able to provide a camping experience and so much more for thousands of children and families from all over the world. Children and families dealing with cancer who wouldn’t otherwise have this opportunity. Fran helped to create a place of respite, fun, magic, and joy with the only others who can understand - those going through the same situation.

Fran was fun, joyous and a salt of the earth guy. He had faith in God, was an amazing person with a big heart and truly believed in helping those who are less fortunate. I have been blessed to have him as a friend and confidant.

Sometimes the extraordinary is done by the ordinary - Fran was one of those. He believed in what I wanted to create for my daughter, Teddi, and I will forever be grateful for his years of friendship and dedication. He was truly a wonderful friend, a great husband, father and a person who will be sorely missed.

Being down at our camping facility on Keuka Lake this past week has reminded me of how special our mission at Camp Good Days is. I stayed with my wife, Wendy, at our cabin for the week of Teddi’s Team Camp, which serves children ages 8-12 who have been diagnosed with cancer. This camp holds a special place in my heart because this is the program that my daughter, Teddi, was able to attend for the first two years of Camp Good Days. After her passing, we named it “Teddi’s Team” in her memory.

When you see the Camp children with others like them and the love that is shown by our volunteers and staff, it reminds you of how special Camp Good Days is and the impact that it has on these campers’ lives. Even as I get older and am not able to do as much as I once did, there is no place that I would rather be than at Camp. As I sit on our deck and watch Camp unfold before me, I am amazed at what we have been able to create over the past 44 years. It makes me feel like a proud grandpa thinking of how I helped make these programs possible for our campers.

 I have been blessed, both in my professional life working in politics and government, having the opportunity to meet such influential people at the federal, state, and local levels of politics (for example, former President and First Lady Ronald and Nancy Reagan, the former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo, or former President Gerald Ford-- who was Teddi’s favorite president,) and also in my personal life. But even after meeting all those people, my heroes and the ones I admire the most are those who walk through the gates of Camp Good Days each and every summer: our campers. They have done nothing to deserve the cards that life has dealt them. No child should have to bear the burden of cancer, yet they stand tall and fight with a smile on their face. Every day there are families being told every parent’s worst nightmare -- that their child has cancer. In that moment, their lives and the lives of their family will change forever, as it did for my family and I. I have built Camp Good Days to ensure that no matter what these children are dealing with, there is always a place for them to come and have fun and be the kid that they were always meant to be. That is one of the reasons that I am so thankful we were able to return to some sense of normalcy this summer following the COVID pandemic.

While I was down at Camp during Teddi’s Team, I was struck by the words of a young boy named Vinny who was attending camp for the first time. He came up to Wendy while we were having lunch by the lake one afternoon and told her that he was having the best day of his life. How do you put a value on that? The same day we had a surprise visit from a former camper, Jessica, who has now become a long-term survivor. To see her back at Camp years later with a smile on her face brought me an unimaginable sense of happiness. When people ask me, “Why are you still working?” The answer is because of young people like Vinny and Jessica.

If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of our campers and have some extra change in your pocket or extra time on your hands, please consider donating or volunteering for Camp Good Days, because every child with cancer deserves good days and special times.

Sunday July 23^rd was a special day for me and the Camp Good Days family. On Sunday, we gathered at the Camp Good Days facility on Keuka Lake to dedicate our volunteer Ranger Station to two very special volunteer rangers, former Captain in the State Police Dave Stebbins and former RPD officer Dave MacFall. We were blessed with a beautiful day to hold this ceremony and to have the opportunity to share this special moment with campers and volunteers from our Doing a World of Good camp. Campers from Spain, Tampa, Germany, Czech Republic, and of course New York made up our D.A.W.G. program this year and I was happy to be able to share precious memories about these two volunteer Rangers with them.

Our Ranger Station was built in 2015 thanks to the generosity of John and Evelyn Nobrega. This building represents safety and security on the Camp property. It will now serve as a place of remembrance of two very important rangers in the Camp Good Days family.

The dedication started with lunch on the waterfront area of Camp where camp staff, the families of the dedicatees, as well as various members of law enforcement gathered. Everyone was able to meet each other and share memories of times at Camp Good Days. It was followed by a short service at the Camp’s outdoor chapel led by Sister Fran Quinn. Everyone was then led to the volunteer Ranger Station for the dedication.  After the blessing was given by Sister Fran, Otto, a longtime volunteer Ranger and supporter of Camp Good Days, dedicated the Ranger Station to Dave Stebbins and Dave MacFall. A plaque was then hung to forever commemorate their legacies.

These two men came to Camp as strangers and left and lifelong friends. They both were exceptional law enforcement officers and even better humans that dedicated their lives to supporting and protecting others. They exemplified what it meant to be a volunteer Ranger at Camp Good Days. Every year, I make a promise to our Campers’ parents that we will send our Campers home in the same, if not better, shape as they came; I promise to keep them safe. I would not be able to keep that promise without our Rangers. They enable me and the Camp Good Days staff to keep this Camp open and our programs running, ensuring that our Campers are safe, which is our number one priority.

I am so pleased that we were able to dedicate this Ranger Station. I could not think of anyone more deserving than both Dave Stebbins and Dave MacFall. This sets in stone their memories and ensures that they both will forever be a part of Camp Good Days.

As July comes around the corner, we head into our 44^th summer of providing camping programs to children, families, and adults affected by cancer or sickle cell anemia. Moving into the camp season, we are adapting and adjusting to our new normal coming out of the COVID pandemic with a mix of anxiety and excitement. We have just completed our two weeks of staff training, wherein our summer staff went through lifeguard, CPR and First Aid training, practiced all kinds of camp songs, and prepared all different fun activities for this summer’s campers! Even though we have fewer summer staff than in previous years, after having met each of them, I am very confident that our campers are in good hands.

In addition to staff training, we also kicked off our first T.I.P.S. event of the year on Thursday, June 29^th at the Willie Walker Lightfoot Recreation Center on Flint Street. T.I.P.S. stands for Trust, Information, Programs, and Services and includes community agencies and law enforcement personnel working in selected neighborhoods to rebuild trust among residents and share information. We were apprehensive about hosting the event at first, due to the air quality, but after consulting with Rochester Public Safety and the University of Rochester we received the OK to continue with the event and provided masks to anyone who might need/want one. It was an especially successful event for me because we were able to provide members of the Rochester community with needed resources to create safter neighborhoods for our children to grow up in. It meant so much to me to see the Rochester community that I grew up in coming together for a greater purpose. We will continue the summer with two more of these events around Rochester. More information can be found on our social media accounts as well as our website.

Speaking of what is to come in the summer, we are all so excited for this year’s summer camping season to begin and for our campers to arrive! This time of year always brings me back to when I started Camp Good Days. While it is amazing that after 44 years, we have been able to expand and help so many different populations in more ways than camp, like our year-round programming, it is nice to come back to our roots each summer to provide residential camping programs for those that need a little more fun in their lives. July 7^th marks the beginning of the camping season with our Young Adult Retreat. As a brand-new program to Camp Good Days, we have partnered with 13thirty, and Roswell Park to provide a weekend retreat for adults ages 18-35 who have been diagnosed with cancer. We are very excited to have over 50 people attend this retreat. What a way to kick off the summer!

*We are always looking for a few good men and women to help us in providing good days and special times to those impacted by cancer or sickle cell anemia. If you or someone you know is interested in dedicating some of their time to Camp Good Days please visit our volunteer page for more information.

I founded Camp Good Days to provide children impacted by cancer with opportunities that they would not normally be able to experience, and for them to be able to re-claim the childhood that cancer had stolen. These opportunities that we provide for our campers not only create a lasting impact on their lives, but also leaves them with memories that they will cherish for a lifetime. In previous years, we granted “Teddi Wishes” in order to give Campers experiences and opportunities that they could otherwise only dream of; whether it was a trip to Disney or a new puppy, we were able to use the Teddi Wishes to make campers’ dreams come true. Our mission was never clearer than in those moments as we saw Camper faces light up with unwavering joy. I was reminded just how special that mission is on Monday, May 15th, when one of our Campers and his family were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Thanks to Oak Hill Country Club and the PGA, Camper, Jack Harrison, and his family were able to spend the first day of the tournament receiving the full VIP experience. As we sat outside the Oak Hill Clubhouse on the morning of the 15^th, we watched as the Harrison family arrived in a white stretch limo that looked as if it were straight out of a movie. The Harrisons were immediately greeted by Oak Hill and Camp Good Days staff, and after the welcoming committee introduced themselves and shared their plans for the day, everyone set out for a tour of the Clubhouse led by Assistant General Manager Cheol Kessler. Cheol was instrumental in making this entire experience possible! When we reached the member locker rooms, Jack stepped in to find that he and his brother, Eli, had their very own labeled lockers filled with all the PGA gear that they could ever want: hats, pants, polos, sneakers, and of course, socks to complete the look. After the boys were dressed to the nines, they continued a tour around the Clubhouse that ended at an outside patio, where they had the perfect view of the players practicing on the putting greens. While I stayed and watched from the patio, the Harrisons were led by Cheol to see the practice greens and driving range up-close. Once they came back from their tour, lunch was served. Jack and his family were treated to a lunch crafted by Oak Hill’s culinary team, which they enjoyed very much. The family then finished the day with a private putting and chipping lesson from Oak Hill’s PGA Director of Instruction, Jeff Urzetta, along with a tour of ESPN’s mobile media room and a visit to the PGA Shop. I returned home later that day to a note from the family thanking everyone and expressing how much fun they had; it meant so much to know that Camp Good Days could assist in providing this for one of our Campers.

All in all, we could not have asked for a more perfect day for Jack. The day was filled with so many smiles and tons of laughter, which is exactly what Camp Good Days strives to provide. At times, we are so consumed by all the evils of life that we quickly forget the miracles of love and generosity. The thoughtfulness and kindness of Cheol and the entire staff at Oak Hill gave an 11-year-old boy, who is fighting a brain tumor, incredible memories that will last a lifetime.

This day brought some light into my life, and I hope it can do the same for you, while also inspiring everyone to see the good that is happening within our own community each and every day.

 I cannot thank everyone who was involved enough for thinking of Camp Good Days during this incredibly busy season and for creating such a special experience for the Harrison family. We are all forever grateful!

Wayne R. Meisenzahl was a longtime leader in the Rochester community and a great supporter of Camp Good Days. Wayne found a calling in helping others in his community and through that passion he became a important member of the Camp Good Days family.

Wayne was an influential member of local politics around the same time that I was working for the state legislature. I knew of him due to working in similar fields, but we were not close at the time. One day when I was down at our Recreational Camping Facility on Keuka Lake that we had recently acquired, tending to some improvement projects, I received a call from Wayne. He explained to me that to celebrate the end of his treatment for cancer he and his wife took a trip to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World. While visiting he realized what a special place it was for children and the positive impact that it could have on their lives, especially those that have been dealt with unfortunate circumstances. He told me that he would like to work with Camp Good Days to send children diagnosed with cancer to Disney World. I asked him how many kids he was considering trying to send on this trip, thinking he would say one, two, or three. Wayne stated that he wanted to send 25-30 children to Disney! While talking to him, I was astonished by his generosity and commitment to our Campers. I worked closely with Wayne to make sure that his dream came true. Soon enough, we were in Orlando with our Campers, showing them the magic of Disney World!

What Wayne didn’t know is that he would affect not only 25-30 children but hundreds in years to come. This became an annual trip for Camp Good Days Campers and to this day because of Wayne Meisenzahl, we have brought over 500 children to see the many wonders in Orlando, Florida!

I am so grateful to have so many amazing people, like Wayne, in my life. People who take action to help others without a second thought or asking for anything in return. He saw the magic of Disney and the idea of some children not being able to experience that was unthinkable to him. Throughout the years, Wayne stayed a part of each and every trip that we had taken, either by coming with us for a day when he was in Florida, or our campers sending him postcards about the highlights of their trip. Moments like those are what brought him the most happiness. He once told me that he never forgot the quote that I once told him, “The two most important days in our lives are the day we are born and day we figure out why.” Wayne figured out why and it was to bring joy to others, which he did in spades each day.

I am so thankful that Wayne called me that one-day years ago and that we were able to form such a special bond. He was a dear friend, and he certainly left his mark on me and on Camp Good Days. Heaven has gained another Camp Good Days angel and he will never be forgotten.