GVRC’s Board Celebrates Supporters and Staff

The Genesee Valley Rotary Camp (GVRC) Board of Directors gathered at Camp Sam Wood on Wednesday, August 13, for their annual meeting, a night filled with recognition and celebration for the people who make GVRC’s mission possible. The event highlighted the incredible generosity of donors and the unwavering dedication of long-serving staff.

Fundraisers for GVRC

The Board was presented with checks from several successful fundraisers:

• Sam Circh of Watch Me Move NYC raised $2,000 through a company fundraiser.
• Jake Miles’s annual Long Island Fundraiser brought in an impressive $8,150.
• Mike and Sue Hoag, along with their niece Kaitlyn, organized the 20th Annual Big Sky Golf Tournament, which raised over $13,000.
• Scott Kamakaris held his annual bottle and can drive which raised $200
• Booty Bike 2025

The Board also presented a certificates of appreciation for Brittney Tracy, who, for the past two years, has secured a matching grant from her employer, Dell, adding an extra $20,000 to the Big Sky tournament’s total.

The Board also celebrated the legacy of Edwin Kitow, a friend of the camp who passed away in 2024. His friend, Jane Monaghan, shared the story of Edwin’s inspiring life, including his time in a Japanese American internment camp. This experience fueled a lifelong commitment to serving others, a mission he extended to GVRC by leaving a generous $8,333 bequest in his will.

Chris Ramsey of Ramsey Constructors was recognized for his company’s significant contributions to the Rotary “Specials” Campsite. Ramsey Constructors donated materials, equipment, and labor to improve accessibility for campers with limited mobility. In March, employees Gary Slate and Zach Van Norman worked with Mike Hoag to widen paths, pour concrete, and install new paved sidewalks. The board honored Chris with a plaque that will be displayed on the pavilion at the campsite, and presented certificates of appreciation to Chris, Gary, and Zach for their hard work and generous gift.

Harris Fellows

The Board continued its tradition of presenting the Paul Harris Fellowship, which recognizes a gift of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation and is awarded to individuals who exemplify Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self.” This year’s recipients were four longtime staff members with a combined century of service to the camp:

• Julie Sullivan, Head Counselor (27 years, started in 1998)
• Sarah Warner, Assistant Director (26 years, started in 1999)
• Howard Green Jr., Rifle Range Instructor (26 years, started in 1999)
• Carolyn Tidd, Head Counselor (26 years, started in 1999)

Thank you, Mrs. Shari!

Camp Director Brian Bartalo also honored Shari DeTar, who retired last year after more than 40 years as GVRC’s Music Director.

In Remembrance

The evening concluded with a tribute to Donald Bartalo, a longtime member of the GVRC family and the father of Camp Director Brian Bartalo. Donald served on the GVRC Board from 1971 to 1994, including terms as treasurer and president. A plaque celebrating his years of service was presented to the Bartalo family and will be kept at the camp. Donald’s wife, Denise; daughter, Kris Rapp; Brian’s wife, Marcia; and sons Jake and Nate, along with Jake’s wife Audrey, were all in attendance to honor his legacy.

As many of the honorees remarked throughout the night, GVRC is one big family, and that is quite literally the case for the Bartalos. Each of the members of Donald’s family who were in attendance on Wednesday night have served on GVRC’s staff in some capacity over the years, including Brian and Marcia, who currently serve as Camp Director and Kitchen Director, respectively, and Jakob, Nate, and Audrey, who are all Camp counselors.

Read more about Donald’s legacy of service and his foundational role in furthering the mission of GVRC.