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During a recent camp session, the Holy Spirit Thrift Shop in Gulf Shores, Alabama, presented a check for $3,000 to the children and staff of Camp Happy Sands. These monies, according to Charlie Roose, executive director of Camp Happy Sands, support the attendance of up to 40 children from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, ensuring that this program is cost free to the families. Mr. Roose shares that Camp Happy Sands is celebrating 50 years of service this summer. It started in 1967 when Charlie’s mother, Ms. Ila Roose and Ms. Corrine Jones (both long time members of Episcopal churches in Pensacola), conceived of the idea of creating a day camp to support low income families. The mission of Camp Happy Sands is "to provide a cost-free day-camp experience and learning opportunities for children of lower income families, conducted in a faith based environment among a natural setting of God's creation." The day camp experience takes place on property within the Johnson Beach component of the Gulf Shores National Seashore on Perdido Key, Florida. The camp runs for six weeks, with children coming from low income families in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, FL, and Baldwin County, AL. Each group of children, ranging in age from 6-12, attends for one week at a time. They participate in a variety of activities including swimming, fishing, guided nature walks, games and craft activities. A trained staff and many volunteers make this an exciting experience for the young people. Over 250 children are served each year. The Holy Spirit Thrift Shop is an outreach ministry of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Gulf Shores. Located at 6786 Highway 59, the Thrift Shop is open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 am - 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Proceeds from the sale of donated clothes, furniture, books and small household items benefit non-profit charitable organizations in Baldwin Count. For additional information or to volunteer call Alicia at the Holy Spirit Thrift Shop at 251-968-2797.