McKinney Russell embodied the greatest aspirations we can have for our alumni.
He came to Camp Rising Sun from Midwood High School in Brooklyn. While at Camp in the summer of 1945, he was among the campers to whom Freddie announced the end of World War II. He always had an international focus, and went on to a distinguished career in the US Foreign Service. During his diplomatic career, he not only mastered many languages, but became imbued with the cultures of countries around the world, including the Soviet Union. (He was fluent in Russian and Polish, as well as many others). Over many years, Mac used his worldwide contacts in other countries to help facilitate the travel of overseas campers to CRS, especially those nations with whom our diplomatic relations were tenuous or in some cases, nonexistent.
In addition to his vibrant career he participated in local camper selection in Washington, DC, served on the LAJF Board of Directors, attended summer and world reunions and was available always to alumni and staff. McKinney was a scholarly man of elegance, eloquence, character, warmth, wisdom, generosity and kindness. It is a great loss for our community and we take time to pay tribute to his love and dedication to Camp Rising Sun.
(McKinney pictured on the far right of the first row at his retirement from the LAJF Board)
The world needs Camp Rising Sun
There is great need for developing promising leaders when our global community is faced with great uncertainty.
At Camp Rising Sun, we answer that need by inspiring our campers to imagine, achieve their utmost potential and rise boldly to the challenges of the times.
For 85 years, Rising Suns have received a full scholarship to attend Camp. It is your support today that allows this to continue.
It’s not enough to love Camp Rising Sun, you’ve got to support it.
To make an online gift, click the "Donate" button at the top of this page. For other gift options, including check securities and wire transfers, click on this link for more information.
Your gift of…
$10,000 sponsors a camper for the summer
$5,000 feeds a camp for one week
$2,500 builds a new tent for 5 campers
$1,000 funds a camper Project
$500 supplies materials for Instructions
$250 treats all 120 campers to ice cream at Holy Cow
Your generous gift is appreciated in any amount.
Camp Rising Sun isn't just a summer camp - it is an investment.
In 2016 we will be opening doors, and tent flaps, for 120 young men and women from around the world. They will learn from one another while learning about themselves. They will lead and they will follow. They will continue the CRS traditions and values.
Your gift today will make it possible for all 120 campers to receive full scholarships to Camp in 2016 for seven weeks.
To make an online gift, click the "Donate" button at the top of this page. For other gift options, including check securities and wire transfers, click on this link for more information.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Joseph A. Riddle | 09/06/2016 | $500.00 | Honoring McKinney. | Bruce Gelb | 03/15/2016 | $1,000.00 | Juanita & Richard C. Luis | 02/29/2016 | $500.00 | With fondest memories of McKinney Russell, a wonderful mentor and role model for us! Nita & Rick Luis | Jim and Patty Critchlow | 02/28/2016 | $100.00 | McKinney spoke of Camp Rising Sun often. It held a special place in his heart, as he does in ours. Jim and Patty | Jim Buckley | 02/25/2016 | $50.00 | Roger Corron | 02/25/2016 | $20.00 | Anita Stephen | 02/25/2016 | $100.00 | I remember McKinney as an eloquent, smart, witty, gentle and kind man. It was because of him that my mother, also a foreign service officer, was posted with him in Bonn, where I made friendships I will always cherish. My heart is with the family today as you remember and celebrate him. | Tara Johnson | 02/25/2016 | $100.00 | This donation is being made on behalf of the following BNI members: Tara Johnson, Jaria Mukasa, Jim Basnett, Cynthia Wood and Laura Mullins. <3 | Suellen Davidson | 02/25/2016 | $50.00 | I remember how helpful McKinney was to us in learning the Russian songs in the Yale Alumni Chorus and how accomplished he was at languages in general. Then my husband and I had the privilege of staying in the same pension in Austria one summer while at the Berkshire Choral Festival and we enjoyed his company so much at breakfast time! Blessings and cherished memories to his family. | Linda Graham | 02/24/2016 | $50.00 | I feel blessed to have spent so many wonderful summers on Cape Cod with "Pop". The days were spent swimming in kettle ponds or the ocean and the evenings were spent playing intense games of Boggle. Thank you Athena, Ken, and Maia for sharing Pop with me! My heartfelt condolences to the extended Russell family - your father/grandfather/brother was a fine gentleman who will be missed! | Lawrence Daks | 02/24/2016 | $50.00 | A respected colleague, a mentor, a friend from our time together in China and beyond. | Judith R. Fox | 02/22/2016 | $100.00 | Terence Benson | 02/22/2016 | $100.00 | McKinney was a fellow singer on the Yale Alumni Chorus and his diplomacy, charm, and languages were great assets to the chorus and help to a stage manager herding singers in foreign lands. In the mix of tongues he always enjoyed, Adios tovarishch. | Sandra Marchenko | 02/22/2016 | $100.00 | Eileen Herman-Haase | 02/22/2016 | $25.00 | To Kyle, to Nina, to the GrandKids, I wish you all the ability to keep your father, father-in-law, GrandDad's great spirit, amazing deeds and love in your hearts throughout your lives. To be touched by such an involved human being is a gift for all. With love to you all and deep sympathy for the passing of McKinney Russell, Eileen | Jessica Fritz | 02/22/2016 | $100.00 | McKinney was my first boss out of college at IREX, and he had such a positive impact on my career. He will be greatly missed. | Peter S. Fudge | 02/22/2016 | $300.00 | Michael A. Engber | 02/21/2016 | $100.00 | I have too many fond and grateful memories of McKinney to recount them all. In 2004, as interim ED, I had a visa problem with one of our would-be campers. McKinney didn't know the consular official whose approval I needed but McKinney's name and intervention were enough to get me a sympathetic and productive hearing. My wife and I enjoyed McKinney's companionship at the world reunion in Poland in 2005. He taught us how to order beer in Polish and then we had the pleasure of enjoying our beers with him. Most enduringly, it was McKinney who alerted me to a performance by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson of Bach's "Ich habe genug." I bought the CD on his recommendation and I'm reminded of McKinney every time I listen to it. | Brian and Erika Shepherd | 02/21/2016 | $100.00 | We feel very fortunate to have met Mr. Russell and we know he will be dearly missed. Hugs and prayers for the whole family, but specially Ken and Athena. | Timothy D. Conners | 02/21/2016 | $500.00 | To someone who lived the spirit of CRS... | Helene Mattera | 02/20/2016 | $100.00 | Conversations with McKinney were always something to look forward to. He will be greatly missed. |
| Total | $4,045.00 | ||