Pops and Sherry Immel

Pops and Sherry at an event to benefit The Painted Turtle

Please meet Dennis "Pops" and Sherry Immel, givers extraordinaire.

Last night Pops and Sherry hosted a wonderful send-off for our dear friend and colleague, Scott. It was a memorable evening for all of us and Pops and Sherry's warm hospitality really allowed us to enjoy the company of one another and celebrate Scott before he moves east. And for me, last night was another strong testament to why Sherry and Pops are among the most giving people around.

Pops and Sherry are long time volunteers at The Painted Turtle. And when I say long time volunteers, I really mean that they've been their since the beginning of Painted Turtle time - before camp was up and running. Local residents of Lake Hughes, Pops and Sherry found this camp being built right in their neighborhood. They found ways to be involved early on and they've never stopped.

Sherry and Pops have quite literally volunteered at every single Painted Turtle program at camp. Pops is infamously known as cowboy-hat-wearing, woodshop-running turtle ambassador and guide while Sherry is our camp photographer, magic-moment-capturer who is a warm presence for everyone on camp. Our campers and family return to camp and are always comforted and excited at the opportunity to see Pops and Sherry again. For camp staff, Pops and Sherry are helping hands that are always there. For all our programs, Pops and Sherry have their own list of responsibilities that they take care of - yes, it's true. Tasks that would otherwise have to be done by a Painted Turtle staff member, Pops and Sherry take care of week after week. All they tell me is this, "Check us off the list." With this I know that families will be welcomed with a family sign outside their rooms, turtle pillows and afghans are waiting (with camper name labels) to greet campers when they arrive to camp. The woodshop is clean and ready for families to take it by storm, families will have a family photo as a keepsake from camp, and at the end of the weekend we'll all sit in awe with a moving slideshow that captures the memories of our program - which families take home to relive the camp magic over and over and over again.

Believe me, I could go on. Whether it's bringing their co-workers to volunteer at camp, leading groups of others to stuff and sew turtle pillows, having their workplace make a donation to camp in their honor, the list of how Pops and Sherry give to camp doesn't end.  

And, with their thousands of hours of giving to camp, Sherry and Pops give more. We always say - and believe - that we have a turtle family at camp. Pops and Sherry are our family. They are a camp "Mom and Dad" for many staff members (even "Nana" to staff children!), seasonal staff grow to know and love them and each year they host all of 60+ of us at their home, they welcome turtle staff to their home for holidays, they offer a warm place to sleep if anyone needs it in the camp area. And last night, in what is the Pops and Sherry way, they hosted 30+ of us in a beautiful celebration of a staff member we love. They opened their home to all of us, provided all the drinks,  and whipped up a delicious homemade Mexican meal. As we were leaving and thanked Sherry and Pops for their warm hospitality, Pops said, "We would have it no other way."

It's true. Pops and Sherry would have it no other way than to welcome all of us into their home and hearts.

Their generosity and giving, both to camp and to all of us as their turtle family, fortunately for us is our "routine." But know this, with giving as many thanks that could cover the world, Pops and Sherry would still be deserving of even more appreciation and love.

Thanks, Pops and Sherry. You truly live the spirit of 365 Days of Service. Thanks for your service every day of the year.