(Courtesy of Camp HASC) Rachel Rutner, a seventh grader in the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, experienced the magic of Camp HASC for the very first time in the summer of 2016, when she came with her parents on the Camp HASC Experience Day to visit her sister who was working there as a counselor. The second Rachel walked through the gates of Camp HASC she was so inspired by the amazing activities that go on there—and from that moment on she realized she had a great desire to make an impact on the world of special needs. Rachel would often go visit and volunteer her time for children with special needs. When she turned 12, instead of only thinking about herself, Rachel right away wanted to organize a project for Camp HASC in honor of her bat mitzvah. Rachel asked everyone who was invited to her bat mitzvah party to bring art and school supplies that could be used by campers in the summer at camp. Rachel and her friends collected over two duffle bags’ worth of supplies! She is so excited for summer 2019 at Camp HASC where the campers will have an abundance of supplies to use all summer long for all their special activities!

Avi Pollak, program director of Camp HASC, said, “We are so thankful for Rachel and are looking forward to interviewing Rachel when the time comes for her to apply to Camp HASC.” Mr. Shmiel Kahn, director of Camp HASC, also commented, “On behalf of the campers and staff of CAMP HASC, we want to thank Rachel for her selfless act of chesed. Hashem should bless Rachel with lots of hatzlacha, and she should continue to grow and be a source of nachas to her family.”

Not only does Rachel feel proud of the impact she has made for this summer, she can’t wait until she will one day apply as a staff member herself to dedicate her own summer to the special campers at Camp HASC.