Campaign Begins To Fund ‘Amped’ Summer Camp

BERLIN -- This weekend, Amped Riders, an amputee advocacy group based in Berlin, will hold the first of a series of events to raise money for the nonprofit organization’s annual “Amped at the Beach” camp, set for July 18-23.

The weeklong camp brings amputee children and their families to Ocean City, where they take part in activities such as surfing and skating.

On Sunday, April 17, from 2-6 p.m., Todd and Natalee DeHart will host a beer tasting (beer for the big kids, root beer for the little ones) at their home at 112 Ann Court in Berlin, featuring craft brews from Burley Oak Brewery in Berlin. Guests are welcome and a $10 donation is suggested. Funds collected during the event will go directly to Amped Riders.

“We need about $8,000 to $10,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to run the camp for the third consecutive year,” said Amped Riders founder Garry Moore, a skateboarder who, in 1996, lost the lower part of his left leg following a construction accident in the Ocean City area. “All the donations go to housing, transportation, food, and incidentals, and activities for the families that attend this camp retreat.”

According to Moore, the organization has three months from next Sunday to raise what is needed for the camp this year.

However, in addition to collecting enough to cover this year’s expenses, organizers hope to double their target goal to $20,000.

“When we meet the goal, we will be able to extend the camp to more groups of kids, families, returning vets or anyone who may be dealing with limb loss and need to get away relax and share with others in a similar situation all in the beautiful setting of Ocean City,” he said.

Additional fundraising events have also been scheduled for Friday, May 20 at JC’s Northside Pub in Ocean City, featuring music by the Phantom Limbs and “Pull-Down” party; Tuesday June 21, Downtown Ocean City-Go Skateboarding Day; Saturday, July 2, at Loaded Gun Customs in Selbyville, Del., Street Party; and Sunday, July 17, at Crown Plaza in Fruitland, The Salisbury Roller Girls will be donate a dollar from their ticket sales to the Amped Riders.

“Our goal is to grow this nonprofit to be another institution in the Ocean City area, similar to Children’s House by the Sea,” said fundraising coordinator Todd DeHart. “[We want it to be] one that can be there for anyone of any age, such as injured vets, and give them the full beach experience.”