Urgent Call: Donate Now to Send Kids to Camp in Arizona!

UPDATE: The Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen’s Fund urgently seeks donations to ensure that children from low-income households and military families in Southern Arizona can attend summer camps this year. With a record of $272,576.43 raised in 2025, the Fund aims to expand its reach and support even more kids in 2026.

This initiative supports weeklong camps including YMCA, Scouting America, and Camp Tatiyee, specifically designed for children with special needs. New last year, the Fund provided scholarships for Flowing Wells students to attend the Sky School camp on Mt. Lemmon. Plans are in place to further develop this partnership to help more children from Title 1 schools in 2026.

The need is pressing: last year, 423 children across Southern Arizona benefited from these scholarships. The Sportsmen’s Fund, one of Arizona’s oldest charities, has successfully sent 44,814 children to camp since its inception in 1947. The organization prides itself on efficiency, with 97 cents of every dollar donated going directly to camp scholarships.

Contributions to the Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen’s Fund are not only impactful but also provide tax benefits. Donations qualify for the Arizona tax credit for charitable contributions. Joint Arizona filers can donate up to $987 for 2025 taxes and $1,009 for 2026 taxes. Individual filers can contribute $495 for 2025 and $506 for 2026. Donations made by April 15, 2026, can be claimed on the 2025 Arizona income tax return.

For those aged 70½ or older, direct contributions from IRAs can also yield tax savings. Eligible donors should consult their tax adviser about the potential for claiming these contributions.

Donations are welcome year-round, with recent contributions including significant amounts from supporters like Barbara A. Miller ($1,000) and Geraldine M. Moisant ($2,500). Every contribution counts in making a difference in the lives of these children.

For more information about donating or the camps sponsored, visit azsendakidtocamp.org or contact Debbie Kornmiller at 520-954-3139 or [email protected]. Checks can be mailed to: Send a Kid to Camp, P.O. Box 16141, Tucson, AZ 85732-6141.

Don’t miss this opportunity to impact a child’s life positively. Join the effort to send kids to camp and create lasting memories that will shape their futures.