Camp Kindle founder recognized with Women of Worth award
Eva Payne remembers getting the call last fall.
The woman on the other end of the line was from L’Oreal Paris, and she was calling to inform Payne that she was a finalist for the company's prestigious Women of Worth Award.
“I was just blown away. I was, like, ‘What? Is this real?’” Payne recalled during a phone interview. “I was pretty excited about it, but I didn’t get my hopes up because people always say they want to help you and then things don't work out, so I've gotten to the point where I say, ‘Well, let’s just see what happens.’”
As it turned out, Payne, who recently moved to California from Lincoln, was one of 13 women chosen from across the country to be named L’Oreal Paris’ Women of Worth for 2007.
The award recognizes women for their outstanding volunteerism and work with charitable causes.
Ten years ago, Payne never could have seen the award coming. The now 31-year-old had just started up Camp Kindle, a non-profit summer camp for kids who have been affected by HIV and AIDS. She was still in college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the time when she got the idea to start the camp and had little experience with developing a nonprofit organization.
“I literally woke up one morning and had the idea. I have lots of crazy ideas, but this was one that was nagging and not going away,” she said. “I was getting more and more excited the more I thought about it.”
So instead of letting the idea slip away, Payne signed up for a grant-writing course at UNL and headed to the Barnes & Noble bookstore to find books that helped her through the technicalities of running a nonprofit organization.
In 1998, Camp Kindle opened its doors for the first time to 50 campers in Hordville. The week-long camp operated on a shoestring budget and enlisted the help of 30 volunteers. Today, the camp has expanded to California and has served more than 500 children.
In addition to Camp Kindle, Payne has begun “SPEAK OUT” a project that takes camp participants across Nebraska to speak at schools in order to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS through their real-life stories.
“In the Midwest it’s hard for people to connect to it (HIV and AIDS) sometimes because they don’t think it really exists here,” she said. “It’s such a secretive disease.”
As a part of her award, she was flown to New York City, where she received four-star treatment and was honored at a CNN Inspiration Summit. She also received a $5,000 donation for Camp Kindle, and $2,500 was donated to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (L’Oréal Paris’ primary philanthropy) in her name.
“You think you’re doing good, but to have some huge company recognized world-wide say, ‘Eva, you and Camp Kindle, you’re doing a good job and thanks for what you’re doing,’ it really makes me feel good,” she said. “You don't do this for the recognition, but it does feel good every once in a while.”
Reach Liz Stinson at 473-7254 or at estinson@journalstar.com.
Quips
The best part of my job is: Almost everything. … I love what I do! Everyday we are working towards the common goal of improving the lives of children impacted by HIV and AIDS.
The worst part of my job is: That the organization does not have an endless supply of money so we can do more for the children and families we serve … and grant reports (not much fun completing those).
If I could change one thing about my community it would be: That everyone could find the time and energy to volunteer for a cause that they believed in.
My most embarrassing moment was when: Hmmmm, with four little children there seem to be small embarrassing moments on a weekly basis. For example, in church last Sunday, while sitting in one of the front rows, our 3-month-old son blew out his diaper … and at the same time our 4-year-old decided that was a good time to let out a very large belch. Lovely moment.
The person I admire most is: All moms who give 100 percent to their families, especially those who still find time to also give back to their communities.
My pet peeve is: Being late
My ideal vacation would be: A Disney cruise … a family vacation that has opportunities to also have “alone time” with my husband.
I've always envied people who can: Remember the names of the people they meet. … I am TERRIBLE with remembering people’s names!
The woman on the other end of the line was from L’Oreal Paris, and she was calling to inform Payne that she was a finalist for the company's prestigious Women of Worth Award.
“I was just blown away. I was, like, ‘What? Is this real?’” Payne recalled during a phone interview. “I was pretty excited about it, but I didn’t get my hopes up because people always say they want to help you and then things don't work out, so I've gotten to the point where I say, ‘Well, let’s just see what happens.’”
As it turned out, Payne, who recently moved to California from Lincoln, was one of 13 women chosen from across the country to be named L’Oreal Paris’ Women of Worth for 2007.
The award recognizes women for their outstanding volunteerism and work with charitable causes.
Ten years ago, Payne never could have seen the award coming. The now 31-year-old had just started up Camp Kindle, a non-profit summer camp for kids who have been affected by HIV and AIDS. She was still in college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the time when she got the idea to start the camp and had little experience with developing a nonprofit organization.
“I literally woke up one morning and had the idea. I have lots of crazy ideas, but this was one that was nagging and not going away,” she said. “I was getting more and more excited the more I thought about it.”
So instead of letting the idea slip away, Payne signed up for a grant-writing course at UNL and headed to the Barnes & Noble bookstore to find books that helped her through the technicalities of running a nonprofit organization.
In 1998, Camp Kindle opened its doors for the first time to 50 campers in Hordville. The week-long camp operated on a shoestring budget and enlisted the help of 30 volunteers. Today, the camp has expanded to California and has served more than 500 children.
In addition to Camp Kindle, Payne has begun “SPEAK OUT” a project that takes camp participants across Nebraska to speak at schools in order to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS through their real-life stories.
“In the Midwest it’s hard for people to connect to it (HIV and AIDS) sometimes because they don’t think it really exists here,” she said. “It’s such a secretive disease.”
As a part of her award, she was flown to New York City, where she received four-star treatment and was honored at a CNN Inspiration Summit. She also received a $5,000 donation for Camp Kindle, and $2,500 was donated to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (L’Oréal Paris’ primary philanthropy) in her name.
“You think you’re doing good, but to have some huge company recognized world-wide say, ‘Eva, you and Camp Kindle, you’re doing a good job and thanks for what you’re doing,’ it really makes me feel good,” she said. “You don't do this for the recognition, but it does feel good every once in a while.”
Reach Liz Stinson at 473-7254 or at estinson@journalstar.com.
Quips
The best part of my job is: Almost everything. … I love what I do! Everyday we are working towards the common goal of improving the lives of children impacted by HIV and AIDS.
The worst part of my job is: That the organization does not have an endless supply of money so we can do more for the children and families we serve … and grant reports (not much fun completing those).
If I could change one thing about my community it would be: That everyone could find the time and energy to volunteer for a cause that they believed in.
My most embarrassing moment was when: Hmmmm, with four little children there seem to be small embarrassing moments on a weekly basis. For example, in church last Sunday, while sitting in one of the front rows, our 3-month-old son blew out his diaper … and at the same time our 4-year-old decided that was a good time to let out a very large belch. Lovely moment.
The person I admire most is: All moms who give 100 percent to their families, especially those who still find time to also give back to their communities.
My pet peeve is: Being late
My ideal vacation would be: A Disney cruise … a family vacation that has opportunities to also have “alone time” with my husband.
I've always envied people who can: Remember the names of the people they meet. … I am TERRIBLE with remembering people’s names!
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.