DENVER – MSU Denver students in need will be receiving 2,000 pairs of socks thanks to the "Betsy Camps!" promotion organized by the Colorado-based CampExperience™ Network.
CampExperience Founder Betsy Wiersma has lived in Colorado for 20 years but has never camped in a tent or camper, so she is teaming up with Escape Campervans in Aurora, Colo., and Mike's Camera to showcase the joy of traveling in a colorfully-painted recreational vehicle during these COVID-19 times and to help out good causes in Colorado.
MSU Denver is one of three sites where Bombas socks provided by the Sock It To Em Sock Campaign are being dropped off. The campaign aims to put socks on the feet of men, women and children who are in need or experiencing homelessness.
MSU Denver's welcoming committee includes volleyball player Kayla White, softball player Ari Valdez and Dr. Colleen Colles, MSU Denver professor in the Human Performance and Sport Department and Program Chair for the Sport Industry Operations concentration.
Interviews with the MSU Denver contingent, scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, are expected to be available at campexperience.com.
After a kickoff at Mike's Camera in Glendale, Colo., and setting up camp at Cherry Creek State Park in Denver on Thursday, the CampExperience Escape Campervan is visiting three organizations on Friday to present 6,000 pairs of Bombas socks.
Betsy and her driver/photographer Jen Jones from Mike's Camera and sponsor Gerri Kier from Complete Nutrition Alliance are presenting socks 2,000 pairs of socks each to Samaritan House at 9 a.m., Mile High United Way at 9:45 a.m., and Metropolitan State University of Denver at 11 a.m.
Children's masks also will be brought to Samaritan House, and United Way representatives are immediately heading to the Back to School Bash after receiving the donation and will add socks to backpacks full of supplies.
MSU Denver will distribute the socks to students in need and will welcome the CampExperience team at Regency Athletic Complex.
"Doing Good and Having Fun" is the motto of the CampExperience Network and is at the heart of the organization's 15th anniversary celebration.
After its three Friday visits, the campervan will pull over for the night in nearby Lafayette, Colo., where classic camping fare like s'mores and stargazing are on the agenda. Saturday morning, early morning photography is on tap at a local balloon ascension using Mike's Camera's top equipment.
"In our 15 years, we have raised more than $1 million in cash and in-kind donations from 5,000+ Camp sisters and friends," Wiersma said. "These funds and CampExperience Network programs have supported more than 50 charities in Colorado and around the world.
"The CampExperience Network is all about women supporting women and families. We seek places where our funds and associated love and support can make a difference for someone in need, and at the same time we build valuable business and friendship connections among women."
In addition to distributing 6,000 socks, the Betsy Camps! schedule includes visiting friends and sponsors along the way and "spreading camp sisterhood goodwill," Wiersma said. "Guests and people who stop by and tour the Escape Campervan will receive a pair of socks to give to someone experiencing homelessness and can register to win fun prizes, including the grand prize of a camera from Mike's Camera. We also will be recording podcasts, posting on social media and celebrating beautiful Colorado."
After a day of exploring the mountains west of Denver and lunch in Golden, Colo., Betsy Camps! wraps up on Saturday evening with an event at The Village Workspace parking lot in Centennial, Colo., from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m.
A Happiness Hour is being sponsored by Babylonstoren wines, and there will be giveaways, games, a showing of the movie "When Harry Met Sally," snacks and the Kona Ice truck with shaved ice treats.
