Donor Spotlight: Tiffany Dowdy

T-Rec and Katy the Lifeguard after 'whipped cream bubbles'

There are certain people in life who make a lasting imprint on you, regardless of how long or short your time together. Tiffany Dowdy is one of those people for me, as well as one of my top donors. We spent two summers together working on staff at Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly. She was T-Rec the Recreation Director and I was Katy the Lifeguard. Camp has this way of fast-tracking friendships and forever embalming them in time, for campers and staff members alike. It's like putting your relationships and experiences on steroids, without all of the negative side effects (except maybe the pain and nostalgia of leaving camp).

After my last summer at Lakeshore, Tiffany continued on staff as the Oxley Director, managing camps for kids who have been exposed to drug and alcohol abuse, violence, sexual abuse and more. She is now Lakeshore's Program Director, and I can't imagine a more fitting person for the job. Her impact on thousands of campers and staffers is simply immeasurable. I asked Tiffany to share a little bit about why she chose to donate, and here's what she had to say:

"When I first saw your post I knew it was going to be a great adventure. I immediately decided I wanted to help out, but once I started reading the "Why I Care" section on the Cause page, I was moved. I think affordable housing is something greatly overlooked. My early childhood was in homes I wouldn't want anyone to stay in now, but I was taken out of that environment and provided with an amazing family who had a house that was safe, warm, and not falling apart. I've seen so many kids come through our camp program who have talked about their living situations, and it's heartbreaking. Due to whatever situations, their families just cannot afford a safe house to call a home. It's hard to turn away from something when you've lived through it and have seen so many across your life be affected. I wanted to support this effort because everyone deserves a safe place to play, learn, grow, and become the person they were created to be."

My deepest gratitude to Tiffany and everyone else who has helped support this effort thus far.