CVKH Blog: Two-thirds of the way there!

Betsy Church and her late husband, John, formed a friendship with Clifford Todd (pictured at left) almost 60 years ago. Cliff was with them in the hospital the day their son, Ross, a villager at Camphill Kimberton, was named. “It was an immediate bond,” says Cliff.

As time passes contacts often fade, and Betsy and John lost touch with Cliff for more than 40 years.  Betsy’s daughter recently found Cliff via the internet and reconnected the long-lost friends, now in their 80s.

It is a remarkable story of the strength of friendship. However, Cliff’s qualities of loyalty and connection were fostered long before he met the Church family.

Cliff is a twin. He and his sister, Catherine, were born at home. Catherine arrived first and the complications of her delivery left her with a traumatic brain injury leading to developmental disabilities. Cliff was born “normal.”

“We were a poor family with seven children,” says Cliff. As she grew up, Catherine had a number of health issues, including ear problems, but medical attention was not always available or affordable. “When I got my first job, at age 16, I bought her a hearing aid,” he recalls.

This bond of brother and sister surpassed any limitations of disability.  “Most people couldn’t understand her, but I could,” says Cliff. “We had our own language.”  Catherine lived her final years in a nursing home and would draw back if anyone touched her. “I could touch her,” recalls Cliff. “I could put my hands on her shoulders and she would know it was me.”

After a recent trip to the village to visit Ross, Cliff mentioned that he wished a place like Camphill Kimberton had been available for his twin sister. He told Executive Director Diedra Heitzman that he wanted to leave a legacy gift to the village – a truly remarkable gesture.

Months later, Diedra received another call from Cliff. This time the impact of his generosity would be felt immediately.

Cliff posed a challenge to Diedra: could we raise $50,000 in operating funds? If we are able to raise the first $50,000, he will match it by donating another $50,000.

We will only receive his donation if we can raise $50,000 on our own.

“He really thinks Camphill is a wonderful place,” says his friend, Betsy Church (pictured at left, with her son, Ross). “It was his wish that he could have had a place like Camphill Kimberton for his sister.”

Our charge now is to make it happen. “I always wanted to do something in her name,” says Cliff.

Inspired by this wish and fueled with the generosity of our friends and supporters, Camphill Kimberton will be able to provide a beautiful home -- for others like Catherine Marie Todd, and in remembrance of her.


Double the Impact

We’re off to a great start! At the time of posting, we have raised $30,125 of the $50,000 requirement.
UPDATE: As of August 18, we have $37,585.  We are two-thirds of the way!  Thank you!

Thank you to Betsy Church, who made our very first donation. Thank you also to an anonymous donor who gave a leadership gift of $10,000. Gloria and Herbert Abramowitz, Joe and Mary Beth Bright, K.C. Layfield, and other family members of villagers have also given significant donations.

Now it is your turn. This challenge gives you a wonderful opportunity to effectively double the size of your gift, maximizing its impact. This is also a great way involve your family and friends in helping you support Camphill Kimberton. We can customize a personal fundraising plan to help you reach out to your contacts.

Gifts in any amount are welcomed and will help us reach our goal. Consider it this way: $25 will become $50; $250 will become $500. And working together, $50,000 will become $100,000!

To make your contribution to the Catherine Marie Todd Fund and ensure that we will receive the additional $50,000 matching gift, please contact Bernadette Kovaleski at 610-935-8660, bernadette@camphillkimberton.org, or PO Box 1045, Kimberton, PA 19442.  You may also make an online gift by clicking here.  Please memo your contribution "Todd Fund."

Thank you for your continued support!