#TEAMMOLLY Supports Camp Harmony With Community Events

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Molly Steinsapir Foundation is supporting Camp Harmony by collecting new kids’ bathing suits, clothes and personal care items during events at Marquez Charter Elementary School and the Steinsapir home in a campaign that runs through June 15.

The foundation was launched to honor the life and legacy of its namesake, Palisadian Molly Steinsapir, who died at the age of 12 in February 2021. It aims to “advance charitable causes that Molly cared deeply about.”

“I sprang into action and started raising funds and collecting items to stock the camp ‘store,’” said Molly’s mom, Kaye Steinsapir, when she heard from her daughter’s best friend and former camp companion’s mom that the camp needed items for its attendees. “As Camp Harmony serves approximately 300 campers from underserved parts of LA, there is a substantial need.”

Camp Harmony is “an overnight camp program designed to help children experiencing poverty develop positive self-esteem and to thereby inspire and empower them in their future endeavors,” according to its website. It hosts campers from 12-plus shelters, agencies and schools, Kaye explained. The camp is free to attend, but most campers arrive “with few personal belongings.”

“Many take things like owning a bathing suit for granted, but most of these kids need one,” Kaye wrote in a post shared on social media. “Molly should be a Camp Harmony counselor with her friend, Elise. Since Elise will be going without Molly, we’re ensuring that Molly’s kind and giving spirit will still be felt at Camp Harmony. #TEAMMOLLY is stocking the ‘camp store’ for the summer so that campers can be gifted the items they need.”

All donations made to Molly Steinsapir Foundation through June 15 will go toward supporting the camp, Kaye said. There are also Target and Amazon wishlists available with “items that are most needed” for those who want to support through a purchase.

The first event—a lemonade and snack stand—will take place at Marquez on June 10 when school gets out at 1:50 p.m. The event is slated to be attended by Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Member Nick Melvoin, as well as his Senior Advisor and District Director Allison Holdorff Polhill.

“We will encourage families and community members to drop off a new bathing suit,” Kaye explained. “All proceeds from our stand will go toward purchasing the remaining items on our wishlists for the campers.”

A similar event will take place at the Steinsapir home on Jacon Way on June 15 at the front of the house, where community members are invited to drop off bathing suits for campers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Camp Harmony’s campers are going to have an especially great summer this year,” Kaye concluded.

For more information, visit the #TEAMMOLLY Instagram.