SPRINGFIELD -- Every year for the past four years, Jean E. Gailun, a volunteer at Kensington International School, has raised money to send students to summer camp.

Usually she raises enough money to send about 50 students to the YMCA's Camp Weber in West Springfield, but that just wasn't enough for her. This year, she raised about $40,000, making it possible for 115 students to attend the two-week day camp this summer.

"A number of years ago, I was thinking about summertime and how lucky I was to have such great summers, and I was realizing that not everybody is as lucky as I was," she said to parents and students during an after-school meeting Tuesday to discuss the camp plans.

She contacted the YMCA and worked out a deal. Not only is the camp fee covered through the donations she collects, but students will get transportation to and from the camp. There are even childcare options for those parents who may have to work early or need to pick up their child a few hours after camp ends.

The informational meeting included a visit from Uriah Rodriguez, executive director of outreach and teen initiatives for the YMCA, and Cesar Caratino, director of Camp Weber. The men showed the families videos of all the things the kids will be able to do at camp -- from learning to swim to riding bikes, climbing in a ropes course, hiking, archery and more.

Jean Gailun among 2013 Pynchon Award recipients

Rodriguez said he grew up in Springfield but never knew the camp existed.

"Until I actually worked at the YMCA, I had no idea what it was. When I first went out there and saw the space, I couldn't believe that a place like that existed not event 10 miles away from this school. It's like a fantasy. You think Springfield is all city, but here is a place where there is water and waterfalls and a pool and beautiful trees," he said.

Gailun said the camp, at the end of Great Plain Road near the Bearhole Reservoir, is amazing.

"The camp counselors are young men and women of such character that they are really good influences on your child. Plus, where the camp is, you really feel like you're in this beautiful area with lots of pine trees. It's a really wonderful experience," she said.

Gailun credited the efforts of the many people who donated as well as the YMCA and the staff at Kensington.

"It takes a village for this to happen," she said.

This is not the first generous thing Gailun has done for the school since she became a volunteer 16 years ago when it was called Kensington Avenue Elementary. She started a book club, has sponsored trips to Barnes & Noble and raised money for a fund at the school that has been used for everything from buying eyeglasses to fuel and even helping a family pay rent.

In 2013 she received the William Pynchon Medal and induction into the Order of William Pynchon, established in 1915 by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, then known as the Publicity Club. The honor is given annually to individuals from the region who have demonstrated exceptional community and civic service.

In 2009, Gailun was honored with the Springfield School Volunteers' Phyllis B. Sullivan "Unsung Hero" Award.



Kensington principal Margaret Thompson thanked Gailun for her efforts.

"It's a very big thing that we can offer this to our students, and the fact that there is transportation is huge," she said. "We are so grateful."