CVKH Blog: $50K Challenge Deadline: September 30

Camphill Kimberton has been given a wonderful gift - the chance to raise $100,000 for those who live and work in our village.  A friend named Clifford Todd has challenged the Camphill Kimberton community to raise $50,000 in operating funds. If we can raise the first $50,000, Mr. Todd will match it and donate another $50,000. We will only receive his donation if we can raise $50,000 on our own - by September 30.


Read on to learn more about Cliff Todd, and his reasons for giving. 

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 $39,530 of the $50,000 requirement.

Thank you!

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. Please memo your contribution "Todd Fund."

You may also make an online gift by clicking the Donate Now button below.

Thank you for your continued support!

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!

CVKH Blog: A great time at the Hootenanny

Thanks to all who participated in our Hootenanny on July 16!  It was a beautiful day and fun for all who attended.  Enjoy the photos!

CVKH Blog: Hootenanny on Saturday, July 16

The Hootenanny, a festival of local music and food, will be held July 16 from 3-10 p.m. at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, 1601 Pughtown Road, Kimberton, Pa.

Join us for the following performers on the hay wagon stage:

3 p.m. - Dirk Quinn

4 p.m. - Aimee Wilson and the Factorye
5 p.m. - The Turnips
6 p.m. - Contra dance with Joe Pescatore
6:45 p.m. - Elisha Kane (on the acoustic stage)
7:20 p.m. - Tara and Friends
8 p.m. - Cowmuddy
9 p.m. - Mostly Maybe

The entertainment will also include village acoustic acts between sets.

The Hootenanny has been organized to celebrate the joy of local culture. In addition to the music, the Camphill Café will be serving food made with local, organic ingredients. Patrons who bring their own reusable plates and utensils will receive a reduced meal price.

There will also be local craft vendors, games, raffles and more. Children will have the chance to spot cows, chickens, sheep and more on the working dairy and vegetable farm.

The admission fee is $10, $8 in advance. Advance tickets can be purchased by contacting Bernadette@camphillkimberton.org or 610-935-8660 by Thursday, July 14. Attendees should bring their own blankets or lawn chairs.

Camphill Cafe Menu: July 6-9

Join us for lunch this week at the Camphill Cafe, open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 


Entree Special: lasagna with kale* and chard* 


Soup of the week: barley with zucchini*, eggplant*, potatoes, rosemary*, cilantro* and soy. 

*from our CSA garden

CVKH Blog: Hootenanny set for July 16

Join us as we celebrate summer with our annual local food and music festival - the Hootenanny will be Saturday, July 16, starting at 3 p.m. and going until sundown.   

Performers include: Dirk Quinn, Aimee Wilson and the Factorye, Tara and Friends, Mostly Maybe, Cowmuddy, and a contra dance called by Joe Pescatore.

Come and enjoy music, organic food, artisan vendors, games and a hayride. Bring your own blanket or chair and stay a while.

$8 for advance tickets, $10 at the gate. Receive reduced meal price if you bring your own reusable plates and utensils.

To purchase tickets, email bernadette@camphillkimberton.org.

CVKH Blog: It's Pollinator Week!

Thanks to the efforts of Alice Dworkin, estate manager at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, Kimberton, Pa., Governor Tom Corbett has issued an official proclamation naming June 20-26, 2011 “Pollinator Week” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pollinating animals, including bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles and others, are vital to our delicate ecosystem, supporting terrestrial wildlife, providing healthy watershed, and more. The work of pollinators ensures full harvests of crops and contributes to healthy plants everywhere.

Therefore, the hope of Pollinator Week is to share with the public the importance of pollinators.

In celebration of these important creatures and the work they do, the Camphill Café is offering a special menu for the week, featuring foods that are pollinated. The exceptional menu includes:

• Vegetables (carrots, onions, pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower, celery) with coconut milk and lemon over brown basmati rice

• Tomato soup with red pepper, bell pepper, chili pepper and coriander.

• Fruit crisps: cranberries and apples or raspberries, peach and mulberries

Many of the Café’s regular offerings also contain pollinated foods, including:
• Chicken salad: made with safflower oil, walnuts and cranberries.
• Salad dressing: made with local honey, safflower oil, sesame oil, apple cider.
• Mango lassi: made with mango and cardamom
• Chai: made with fennel and cardamom
• Iced tea: made with peach and clove

The Camphill Café is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All foods are organic and as local as possible, many grown on-site in Camphill Kimberton’s Community Supported Agriculture garden. The Pollinator Week menu will be available from June 22-25.

On Wednesday, June 22, at 2 p.m. a tour of Camphill Kimberton’s gardens and orchard will be available for those interested in learning more about the diverse farm community. To reserve your space on the tour, please contact Bernadette Kovaleski at 610-935-8660 or bernadette@camphillkimberton.org by Monday, June 20.