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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Final push on to send kids to camp

By: Jenny Ford

Posted: 08/25/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

As the last days of summer draw to a close, there have been many canoe trips, talks around the campfire and new-found friends for hundreds of Manitoba children who went to camp this summer thanks to Sunshine Fund donors.

"From year to year, without their support, the children wouldn't have the opportunity to go to camp," said Bryan Ezako, executive director of the Manitoba Camping Association and the Sunshine Fund.

Donations as of Aug. 23

Murray G. Moncrieff $100

In memory of my mother, Nancy Moncrieff

William Tough $125

In memory of Bernice Tough

Julie Koehn $50

Fred and Lorna Buckmaster $150

Shannon Fewes $365

In memory of Regan Billing and Jordan Dalke

Chris and Linda Sunde $50

Terracon Development Ltd. $1,000

Marilyn Sabine $100

Anonymous $100

In honour of "Larry 946"

Pat Reid $100

E. Dawn Lazar $200

Dianne Bechard $25

Lynne Squair and Ken Hahlweg $200

Michael and Bryan $200

In memory of Nana, Papa and David

D.R. Johnson Financial Ltd. $125

Audrey Hill $50

In memory of Jack Hill

Evelyn Rogowski $100

St. Nicholas Men's Club $250

Martha Gerbrandt $30

Ray and Beth Harris $100

Vera Keys $200

Ian and Sharon Milne $50

Mrs. Irene Wakeman $40

Patrick Clarke $100

Sophie Rudyk $50

In memory of Sophie Kullman

Frank and Gail Spivak $200

Anonymous $385.50

Thankful for Camp Arnes!

Colin and Ingrid Tirschmann $50

In honour of Kathy Lloyd and Don Ferens 25th wedding anniversary

Laura Donatelli $150

Susan Kemp $1,000

In memory of Morgan Kemp

Janice Beveridge $250

Samuel and Michelle Kidd $25

Heather Colquhoun $100

Anonymous donations $725

Donations this week $6,745.50

Campers placed 739

Year-to-date donations $225,419.09

Campership cost $261,979.74

This year, the association sent 739 children to camp who otherwise couldn't afford to go.

"You read some of (these kids') stories and the plights about what they've been through or some of the challenges they've faced in their day-to-day lives and you know for a fact that donors are making a huge difference in their lives," said Ezako.

However, it's been down to the wire this year to send the last children on the waiting list to camp, Ezako admits. Donations were lower than usual by 20 per cent, but he said the association still managed to place all remaining children in the last few weeks of August before school starts.

While the last few kids on the waiting list will get a week away at camp, Ezako still said they'll be short in donations to cover camp costs.

"Summer's not over and we're still counting on support to make the final push," he said.

Ezako said the contributions of Free Press donors, large and small, have made a big difference for hundreds of Manitoba children.

Paul Samyn, interim editor of the Free Press, agreed.

"We couldn't do it without them," he said. "As a former camp counsellor, I know how special the opportunity for a child to spend part of their summer at a camp can be. I've also worked with campers who got that opportunity through the Sunshine Fund, so it's wonderful to be part of this Free Press tradition."

To donate to the Sunshine Fund, send cheques to the Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund c/o 302-960 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 0R4.

You can also donate online by going to www.mbcamping.ca and following the CanadaHelps donation link. For more information on the Sunshine Fund, call 204-784-1130 or email sunshinefund@mbcamping.ca.

jennifer.ford@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 25, 2012 B3

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