Nancy Hibbard is a 25-year volunteer at Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake. She has contributed thousands of hours in many different capacities, serving families whose children are facing life-threatening illness. Nancy makes herself available to the visiting families at a moment's notice and does so with passion and caring. Nancy volunteers as a driver and in the Campus Store. She bakes treats for the staff, and she teaches baking to campers. In addition, Nancy is a skilled craftsperson of stained glass and jewelry-making; she teaches a jewelry workshop at Camp Sunshine enjoyed by both children and many mothers. But if someone is ill, or hurt, or something is wrong, Nancy is not afraid to be in the thick of the situation, doing whatever is necessary in the interest of the families.
Nancy had already been at Camp Sunshine for many years when she also began volunteering at the Center for Grieving Children. When Camp Sunshine launched their Bereavement program in 2002, Nancy was pleased to bring those experiences of caring to help different families experiencing the same emotional pain. As a volunteer in parent bereavement workshops, she provides a "safe space" where parents can allow themselves to be vulnerable in the prescence of her calm demeanor, maturity, and genuine compassion.
Nancy's service contributions are both seen and unseen. Executive Director Matt Hoidal describes her as a most extraordinary "utility player," or, in this case, "utility volunteer" for Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake. According to Nancy Cincotta, Camp's psychosocial director, "Nancy's willingness to do many different things, all with significant impact, is unequaled in our volunteer cohort."
