By Gretchen Keiser

An initial tally of contributions to a Palm Sunday collection for the Archdiocese’s summer day camp program shows that $22,085.16 was given. A number of parishes are in the process of forwarding contributions, however, so the figure is not complete.

The collection will go toward the cost of a day camp program to be held at Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Decatur and St. Paul of the Cross and St. Anthony’s parishes in Atlanta from mid-June to late August. The programs are being planned to serve from 600 to 700 children when school closes in June.

In addition to the money gathered from the second collection, approximately $4,300 has been given to support the program from contributors in other parts of the country, including donations from school children, religious orders, and individuals.

While the day camp program is to be held at the three specific parishes, pastors of 22 other parishes in the archdiocese have been invited to link up with one of the three day camp sites in a “sister parish” arrangement. The 22 other parishes, which are those within Atlanta, the suburbs and surrounding perimeter, are being asked to cluster their support toward one of the three sites. Prayer support, volunteers and supplies could then be provided for each site from a cluster of sister parishes.

Those willing to give time as volunteers at one of the day camps, or able to donate supplies, access to a recreation area, or housing to someone coming from out of town to work at the camps, will find a form to fill out on page 7. Forms have also been distributed to all the churches in the Archdiocese.