John Young Dedicates a Week Every Summer to Camp Sunrise
John Young is an Internet Sales Manager at Heritage Chevrolet Buick Owings Mills who’s spent a week every August for close to three decades supporting Camp Sunrise, a camp for pediatric cancer patients near Annapolis, MD.
Camp Sunrise is in their 36th year and is a volunteer-driven, cost free, week-long, overnight summer camp held during the first week of August. The camp’s unique environment allows campers to lean on each other, share their thoughts and fears, and come together to share similar experiences.
In December of 1994, John’s son, Jarrett, was diagnosed with leukemia. It was at that time they learned about an incredible place where kids can go to “just be normal kids.” That following August, at five years old, Jarrett started attending Camp Sunrise. The following year when he was able to spend the night, he came home after a week, exhausted, but full of joy. Camp Sunrise easily became the best week of the summer.
Even when experiencing a relapse in 1998, Jarrett’s first concern - will I still be able to go to Camp? He was, and for the next five years Camp Sunrise was a constant as Jarrett grew up and matured into a young man.
In March of 2004, Jarrett was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. That August, he headed to Camp Sunrise knowing it would be his last. Though he didn’t make it through the whole week, Jarrett, John, and his wife, JoAnna, returned on Thursday for the bonfire where Jarrett was welcomed back into the fold like a celebrity.
Later that night, knowing he would not be returning to camp next year, Jarrett made his parents promise that they’d continue being a part of Camp Sunrise in his absence.
Jarrett at the Camp Sunrise Bonfire in 2004
Jarrett passed away in January of 2005 at the age of 14 after a long and courageous 10-year battle with cancer.
Every August since, keeping good on their promise, John and JoAnna have been at Camp Sunrise to welcome the campers and ensure the kids have the same incredible experience their son did.
John has been with Heritage for over twelve years and we are so lucky to have him as part of our crew. An outstanding member of the team, and more importantly, an outstanding person. Thank you John for all you and JoAnna do for Camp Sunrise, and the bright light you bring to everyone here at MileOne each day!
Campers at Camp Sunrise
To learn more about this incredible camp, the other programs they offer, and how you can support the amazing campers that have found a home away from home each summer, visit campsunrisemd.org.