07/30/2026
As another wonderful and blessed St. Stephen's Summer Camp comes to a close, there are so many people to thank for making these five incredible weeks possible.
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to the St. Stephen's camp Director, **Monica Gjerde**. Many of us don't fully realize the countless hours of planning, preparation, organization, and dedication it takes to bring camp together and successfully guide it through all five weeks. Your love for this ministry and your commitment to our campers are truly a blessing. Thank you for all that you do!
We are also deeply grateful to our weekly staff and volunteers who traveled from near and far to share their time, talents, and faith:
**Week 1**
• Father Anastasios Hallas – St. Mark, Boca Raton, FL
• Telly Karahalios – Hollywood, FL
**Week 2**
• Deanna Tsetsekas – Clearwater, FL
• Melissa Lenardos – Tampa, FL
• Chris Mantzanas – Tampa, FL
• Anthony and Evelyn Besseas Zehia – Durham, NC
**Week 3**
• Deanna Tsetsekas
• Fofie Karas – Daytona Beach, FL
**Week 4**
• Mike and Ritsa Neary – Matthews, NC
• Fofie Karas
• Ellie Carras
• Thomas William Carras – Conway, SC
**Week 5**
• Ritsa Neary
A special thank you also goes to **George and Katerina Bakogiannis**, who are always available, willing to help, and ready to lend a hand whenever needed. Your generosity and servant hearts never go unnoticed.
We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the **Philoptochos Ladies of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Daytona Beach, FL** for their generous donation of three sets of frying pans for our kitchen. Thank you as well to the **Tsetsekas family of Clearwater, FL** for donating additional pans, a salad bowl, and an industrial can opener. Your kindness and generosity will benefit our camp for years to come.
To everyone who volunteered, donated, prayed, encouraged, and supported St. Stephen's Summer Camp—thank you. Because of your generosity and dedication, our campers experienced five weeks filled with faith, friendship, fun, and God's love.
May God bless each of you abundantly, and we look forward to another amazing summer together!
A heartfelt thank you to our priests for their spiritual guidance, prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout the summer. Your presence, leadership, and dedication to our campers, staff, and the entire St. Stephen's family are a true blessing.
We are also incredibly thankful for the many people God placed in our path this summer. We found a dependable contractor, a handyman, a plumber, and an AC repairman who were always willing to show up whenever we needed them. Their prompt help and dedication kept camp running smoothly, and we truly feel blessed by their support.
May God continue to bless our Board of Directors, our amazing staff, our dedicated volunteers, and everyone who gives of themselves to make this ministry possible. We pray for God's continued guidance and abundant blessings on the future of the ARC, that it may continue to be a place where faith, fellowship, and lifelong memories are built for generations to come.
To God be the glory for another blessed summer at St. Stephen's!
