TIMES CAMP FUND : A Week Away for 10,000 Kids

Beginning today, readers can help brighten the lives of thousands of Southern California children by supporting the 38th annual Times Summer Camp Fund.

Since it was founded in 1954, the fund has helped more than 277,000 children spend a week at camp. The fund, which is supported by donations from readers and Times employees, ensures that more than 10,000 needy and disabled children will be able to attend camp each year.

Over the last 37 years the fund has raised more than $12 million for camperships, including a record $1, 023,920 last year.

Each campership costs an average of $115. Children wash cars, collect cans or raise money in other ways to supplement what they receive from the fund.

Beginning Monday, The Times will profile some of the children who will benefit from a campership. The articles, accompanied by a donation coupon, will appear Sundays through Fridays in View. Beginning next Sunday, donations of $15 or more will be listed.

The Times does not own or operate any of the participating camps. Instead, funds are distributed among about 200 local youth agencies through a volunteer committee of the United Way.

These organizations decide which children will receive camperships. Priority is given to the neediest and those who earn a portion of their fees. Children are sent to camps accredited by the American Camping Assn.

In San Diego County, the Community Campership Council administers and distributes the funds.

Agencies receiving funds include the Woodcraft Rangers, Boy and Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Campfire Councils, Jewish Big Brothers, Inner City Ministries and Boys and Girls Club. Other agencies include the National Kidney Foundation, the American Diabetes Assn., the Easter Seal Society and the Crippled Children’s Society of Los Angeles County.

Security Pacific Bank donates accounting services.

Each year, 100% of donations goes to camperships.

Readers may send their tax-deductible donations to Times Summer Camp Fund, Dept. 2799, SCF Pasadena, Calif. 91051-2799. No door-to-door solicitation has been authorized.