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Meet the Staff

Camp Supervisor Message

A Letter from the Camp Supervisor,

As we prepare for another exciting summer at the Helen Diller Home for Blind Children, I am filled with gratitude, pride, and anticipation. This upcoming season marks my 17th year with the Diller Home, and it continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life to be part of such an extraordinary organization. My summer trips to Avalon are all the more meaningful now that my own children, Jack (8) and Luke (4) have come to love this community just as deeply.

Each summer, we eagerly look forward to welcoming new campers and their families, while also celebrating the return of the campers who have grown up with us year after year. Watching these children build confidence, friendships, independence, and joy within our camp community is truly what makes this place so special.

None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our Avalon community and the generous donors who believe so deeply in our mission. Because of you, our campers are able to attend free of charge, an opportunity that would be unimaginable without the dedication, fundraising efforts, and kindness of those who rally around the Diller Home. Your support ensures that every child who comes through our gates is welcomed with open arms and endless possibilities.

We are especially proud of the continued growth and success of our scholarship program, which has expanded year after year. This program has allowed us to reach more families, provide additional resources, and enhance the camp experience in meaningful ways. Each season, it becomes stronger, more impactful, and a true testament to what community-driven support can accomplish.

This summer also brings exciting changes to our leadership team. We are thrilled to welcome a new Director and Assistant Director to the Diller Home. Their passion, experience, and commitment to our mission are already making a positive impact, and we are confident that the future of the Diller Home is brighter than ever. With their leadership, this organization will only continue to grow and thrive.

As summer approaches, our excitement builds. We cannot wait to see the laughter, friendships, and unforgettable moments that make camp so special. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey and for helping us create a place where every child belongs.

Here’s to another unforgettable summer at the Helen Diller Home for Blind Children.

See you in Avalon,

Emily Mulhern
Camp Supervisor
Helen Diller Home for Blind Children

 

2026 Camp Dates:

Week 1: June 14-20 
Week 2: June 21-27
Week 3: June 28 - July 4
Week 4: July 5 - July 11
Week 5: July 12 - 18
Week 6: July 19 - July 25
Week 7: July 26 - Aug. 1
Week 8: Aug. 2 - Aug. 8

 

Get to Know Us:

Lily Corrigan – Director

Hi! My name is Lily Corrigan and I have worked at the Diller home for the past 5 summers! Some of my favorite activities at Diller include beach days, ice cream nights and Fourth of July fireworks with all of the campers and staff! I graduated in 2021 from Chestnut Hill College with a bachelors degree in Special Education/Elementary Education where I played lacrosse as well. I am currently a Special Education teacher and teach 4th-8th Grade Life Skills/Autistic support. During my free time I love running and CrossFit, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family! I’m super excited for this summer and I can’t wait to see all of the campers and counselors for another unforgettable summer! 

Molly Santoro - Assistant Director

Hi! I’m Molly Santoro, and this will be my third summer at Diller and my first summer as Assistant Director! I love meeting new people and making new friends here - Diller truly has the best community. Some of my favorite moments are Thursday night concerts and all the fun Fourth of July festivities. During the school year, I’m a kindergarten and first-grade Life Skills teacher in the Spring-Ford Area School District. I can’t wait to get back to Diller for nonstop dance parties, lots of laughs, and an amazing summer together! 

Bridget Gallagher - Counselor

My name is Bridget Gallagher, I am 21 years old and this will be my third year at Diller as a counselor. I am beyond excited to kick off this summer! I am looking forward to those wild Wildwood days and jamming to music on the beach with campers old and new. This year, I graduate from Holy Family University with my bachelor’s in Early Education as well as continue to work at my local YMCA after-school program in Philadelphia. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and spending time with my loved ones. Though this year has been busy, I can’t wait to settle back into the Diller Home for another fun and memorable summer!

Helen - Counselor

Hi! I’m Helen and this is my 4th summer at Diller. I recently graduated from College of Charleston with a degree in biology. I’m pursuing my masters at SJU in the fall! My favorite part of camp is boat day! I’ve been a boys counselor the past couple years and I can’t wait to be back!

Sara Aschenbrenner - Counselor

Sara Aschenbrenner (Age: 20)
Kutztown University
Dual Major: Special Education/Visual Impairment
In my free time I love to play chess, pickleball, basketball, and ultimate frisbee
I am so excited for my first summer working at Diller home! Ever since hearing about Diller, I hoped I would be given the opportunity to work there. I especially can’t wait to meet all the kids and help them make some awesome summer memories!

Sophie Zangara - Counselor

Hi! My name is Sophie Zangara and this is my second summer at Diller! I had the best summer last year getting to know all the campers and counselors! My favorite memories at Diller have been beach days and concerts at Surfside Park. I’m graduating from Penn State in May with a bachelors degree in biobehavioral health and minors in neuroscience and biology. I’ll be going to Stockton University in the fall to get my masters degree in occupational therapy. In my free time I love to run, go to the beach, and spend time with my friends and family. I can’t wait to be back in Avalon and to see all the campers and counselors for another great summer!

Kate Palermo - Counselor

Hi! My name is Kate Palermo! This year will be my fourth year as a counselor at the Diller Home. I’ve met so many amazing people by working here and I’m so excited to come back. It’s a blessing to be with new and old friends! My fondest memories are Thursdays at Surfside concerts, beach days, and  getting ice cream! I am a student at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania majoring in Visual Impairment Studies. When I graduate, I plan on pursuing a career in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. In my freetime, I enjoy playing guitar, video games, listening to music, and spending time with friends! I’m so excited to be back and I can’t wait to see everyone!

A.J. Gerardi - Counselor

Hi! My name is A.J. Gerardi. This will be my third summer at the camp, but I’ve been volunteering for Diller since High School. My favorite shifts are taking the kids to the beach or when we go out for ice cream. I recently graduated from Rosemont College with a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, and I hope to pursue teaching in the fall. I truly believe Diller is a wonderful place, and I’ve worked with some extraordinary people. I’m so excited to be returning and can’t wait to begin!

Julianna Compierchio - Counselor

Hi! My name is Julianna Compierchio, I’m 20 years old, and this will be my first summer at the Diller Home! I am super excited to meet everyone, to live down the shore, and to make so many new memories! In the fall, I will be a Junior at the University of Delaware where I am currently studying to be a Speech Language Pathologist. Outside of school and work, I love to read, drink coffee, and go on bike rides with friends and family! I am so excited for an incredible summer together!

Joshua Torrence - Counselor

My name is Joshua Torrence and I am 24 years old. I am currently pursuing a Masters in School Counseling at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. I graduated with honors from Washington College in 2024 as an English and Psychology major. As a writer and poet, I was a Sophie Kerr Finalist at Washington College in 2024, and I self-published a book of poems in 2020. I also have a passion for theatre and played leading roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Young Frankenstein, Once Upon a Mattress, and The Lightning Thief in recent years. Working as an additional adult assistant for Baltimore County Public Schools inspired me to become a school counselor, and I hope to assist students in special education for the rest of my life. I am so excited to make kids’ summers the most fun that they can be and to share my passion for the arts with the kiddos! The beach is my favorite place to be, and I’m beyond hyped to spend my summer showing the kids the waves, the arcade, and everything that makes Avalon such a cool place.

Alex - Counselor

My name is Alex, and I am 18 years old. I attend Temple University, where I study Film & Media Production. I enjoy writing, video production, working with others, spending time with friends, traveling, and trying new experiences. I’m excited for Diller because I was once a camper here, and now I have the opportunity to spend the whole summer giving back to the organization that meant so much to me.

Claire Carrington - Counselor

My name is Claire Carrington, and I am 18 years old. I attend Albright College, where I study business. I’m involved in field hockey, wrestling, and musical theater. This is my first year working as a counselor, but I’ve been part of the Diller community since I was 9 years old as a camper. The people at Diller are so incredible, and camp has always been the highlight of my summers. I can’t wait to help make this year’s camp experience just as special for the campers!

Elyse Nadelman - Counselor

Hi, my name is Elyse Nadelman. I am 21 years old and a junior at Kutztown University, where I study Visual Impairment and Elementary Education. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, as well as watching YouTube and Netflix. I am very excited to work at Helen Diller because I have been involved in camp environments for most of my life, and I’m looking forward to gaining meaningful experiences that will help guide me in my future career as a teacher of students with visual impairments.

The Diller Home is a registered 501c3 charitable corporation under the name Challenged Children’s Charities Corporation.