Inspired by summer camp, teen wants to help others

Golf fundraiser will raise money for Ronald McDonald Camp

By: Vanessa S. Holt
   FLORENCE — It wasn’t just summer camp for Brianne Carroll, it was a life-changing experience, and now she wants to help bring that experience to other young people.
   Kim Carroll, Brianne’s mother, said the 14-year-old has organized a golf tournament to benefit the Ronald McDonald Camp, where she spent time last summer after recovering from surgery for a brain tumor, in hopes of raising enough money to grant some wishes on the camp’s wish list.
   "She wanted to be able to give the experience to other children," said Ms. Carroll. At the camp, teens can choose from activities like rock climbing, wood shop, horseback riding, golf, sports ranging from hockey to canoeing and archery, arts and crafts, drawing, painting and yoga, and even bring their siblings along for the weekend.
   "It’s a great place for children to be after they’ve experienced something like that, and to be with kids who have been through similar things," said Ms. Carroll.
   The Ronald McDonald Camp is located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. It was established in 1987 by Dr. Audrey Evans of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelaphia and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House as a place for children who have been treated for cancer to have summer camp with other young people who also have had those experiences.
   Staffed by volunteers, the camp serves ages 7 to 19. There is no charge for former or current patients, and there is a nominal $100 fee for siblings, according to the Web site, www.ronaldmcdonaldcamp.org.
   The golf tournament will be held at Gambler Ridge Golf Club in Cream Ridge on May 5, with a start time of 8 a.m. The tournament should last until about 1 p.m.
   A patient at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, Brianne is currently in 8th grade at St. Paul’s School in Burlington and will attend Notre Dame High School in the fall.
   Brianne – Brie, to her friends — plans to attend the camp again this year and eventually become a counselor, said her mother. She also has a new career goal in mind: a child’s life specialist.
   "They try to make (children’s) experiences a little bit better at the hospital; they give them tours before their surgery, show them everything and provide activities for the children as they stay in the hospital … and coping skills to help them get through all of the experiences that they have."
   Brie, her brother Joey, 12, and her dad, Joe, all love golf, said Ms. Carroll, and the day of the tournament will be her little sister Delaney’s fifth birthday, she said.
   As of Tuesday, there was room for four or five more foursomes at the tournament. The cost is $95 per golfer and includes a round of golf with cart, food and beverage at the turn, and a prime rib buffet. There will be door prizes and a silent auction, which includes watercolor art by Brie and signed sports memorabilia.
   For more information, to sign up or to make a donation to Brie’s Buddies, contact the Carrolls at 462 Delaware Ave., Roebling NJ 08554, (609) 499-2427, or Randy and Cathy Seaton, at (609) 387-1306.