Monthly Archives: December 2025

SCULPTURES ENHANCE SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

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Campers enjoying the spider at Camp Paivika (amphitheatre in backgroundThis is a 

This was never published on the site and I found it to be a very nice Thank You that I wanted to share.

July 26, 2012: Kelly Kunsek, Director of Camp Paivika was enthusiastic about their new installation and sent this note to sculptor Simi Dabah, “On behalf of the many campers, their families and other visitors to Ability First Camp Paivika, Thank you! We absolutely love the amazing sculptures that you created and allowed us to pick out for our camp in Crestline (California). Camp Paivika is a camp for children and adults with disabilities of varying degrees. We are located in the beautiful San Bernardino National Forest and your work fits perfectly into our setting. I particularly fell in love with the “spider”, and he has a beautiful spot underneath the pines right outside of our main lodge and adjacent to our outdoor amphitheater. We also selected your set of three “gears” which are placed around the camp for all to enjoy.”

SDSF Donates $2500.00 to Palms-N-Paws Courage Fund

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This is the second time we have been able to donate to the Palms-N-Paws Courage Fund in the last few years.  Below is a story that came out shortly after our last donation.  It’s a great story and worth reading again if you have already seen it.  I told Rick when it came out “I want to tell people that was our donation that helped that dog” he laughed and said go for it because what you donated is close to what the vet bill was.  We are all just happy to hear of such a great outcome and happy to report the dog is still doing well a few years later living with the person that took him in as a short term foster that quickly turned into a lifetime adoption.  

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Look At This Sweet Dog!!
On 12-15-2021 @ approx 3:00p.m. a couple driving across the desert East of & 29 palms spotted an injured dog out in the desert, not knowing for sure they backed up and saw this dog with a compound fracture and his rear leg bone broke and sticking out he also had a large, infected hole in his front leg. They loaded up the dog and brought him in to Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter, due to his young age, great personality & survival skills we had to do something fast, this dog was so full of spirit and seemed so thankful to be rescued we jumped into action and was able to have his rear leg amputated and drain put in his front leg, x-rays, Blood work etc. he also had small punctures & scrapes all over his body and very thin (@ 39lbs). from the look of his injuries and dead skin around his openings they estimated he has been in that condition for over 5 days during the freezing cold weather, high winds and rain. With the “Courage Fund Donations” we receive from all of you thought the years, we were able to get him help. We rushed him up to29 Palms V.C.A. & without hesitation they started evaluation and came up with a plan, & before you know it the dog was preparing emergency surgery. The Surgery went late into the night. On 12-16-21 his surgery went great & he’s on the road to recovery.
This is the work of vigilant caring people and all your donations.
We want to thank all.
We are always accepting donations for our “Courage Fund” so we can do special things like this. If you are interested in donating please Call 760-367-6799 ext3. We can’t save them all but the ones we can makes all the difference in the world.