In 1989, Dwaine and Julianne Sharratt of Cooperstown purchased Beaver Valley Campground, dreaming of a wondrous childhood for their growing family. The Sharratt family worked hard to create a fun, safe place for their children, campers’ children and a place for our entire community. They hosted baseball games, carnivals, dances, theater and more. A parent’s dream was realized.
After 35 years of taking care of his community, Dwaine Sharratt was diagnosed with an illness that slowly took his strength and vitality. When Dwaine’s illness abruptly changed, Helios Care was there to support him and his family. His time with hospice care made a lasting impression on his surviving family members.
A grieving widow, Julianne, with the help of her adult children was determined to carry on with the campground. But, not nine months after her husband had passed, she too was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The Sharratt family again looked to Helios Care for support during the final days of their mother’s life.
Grieving together as a family, they took stock of what they did and didn’t know about the business, and realized that together they could carry on. In July 2024, just a few months into their first season, daughter Caley Sharratt contacted Helios Care offering to host Camp Forget-Me-Not for children at Beaver Valley Campground. Caley shared gratitude for Helios Care, the kindness, compassion, and support they needed in the final days of each of their parent’s lives.
“Helios Care gives you and the person you’re supporting an ability to have more comfort, and focus on more of that time together rather than being so stressed and anxious about what’s happening. You have this resource, someone you know is there and that you can call anytime. It’s taking something off your plate when everything is going hard and the thing you should be focusing on is the person you want to be with.” – Caley Sharratt, daughter of Dwaine and Julianne.
For more than 20 years, Camp Forget-Me-Not has helped to foster healing for grieving young people in our communities. Helios Care is excited to announce that we will host three camps in 2025 – one each in spring, summer, and thanks to the generous donation of the Sharratt family, the fall Camp Forget-Me-Not will be held on September 27th, 2025 at Beaver Valley Campground.
Helios Care is grateful to the Sharratt family for “paying it forward” to the young grievers in our community. Offering a safe, fun place for children to learn coping skills and healthily express their grief is a generous and welcomed donation.
We hope that you too will pay it forward by donating to Helios Care in whatever way you are able. Helios Care serves patients with serious illnesses in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties. Our team of compassionate professionals travels throughout our counties meeting patients and families at their homes and in nursing home to deliver compassionate end-of-life care.
We also provide a range of services for the grieving members of our community. From support groups to counseling, to educational seminars, school presentations and Camp Forget-Me-Not, our team works hard to meet the needs of your community.
Make a donation to Helios Care and know that it stays right here in our community and goes to help local residents and neighbors in need. Thank you!
Donate on http://www.helioscare.org/donate/
2024 Fall Appeal Letter
