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2015 Crafter's Weekend at Camp Friendship and Camp Courage. Sign up today!
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December 5, 2014
NEWS & NOTES     Keeping you connected with camp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter camp is quickly approaching and we are busy preparing for the fun of building snow forts, broomball, sledding, snowshoeing, hot cocoa and all of the amazing activities that a Minnesota winter offers. Sign up for Winter Camp at Camp Friendship or Camp Courage on Dec. 27-31 or browse our 2015 respite schedule for weekend options throughout the year. 

 Camper Spotlight

Michael's enthusiasm for camp hasn't wavered in the past 12 years he's attended. He looks forward to the excitement and opportunities of each session.

 

Michael works for Kaposia during the year. "Camp gives Michael a break from his routine at work and gives him the chance to make new friends, enjoy nature and have fun," said Jerry, Michael's dad. "It is also a week off from worrying about Michael on a day-to-day basis. It is gratifying that I know he is having fun and making friends." At camp, Michael gets go try many new things like swimming, boating and wagon rides.

"Michael was a joy to have in our cabin," said camp counselor Poppi Dando. "He was always joking with counselors and loved to have a good time."

 

"When we drive out to Camp Friendship, Michael seems to get more and more excited the closer we get," Jerry said. "He seems very much at peace and finds happiness at camp." 

Volunteers

The Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration awarded True Friends volunteer, Sierra Hietala, with the 2014 Outstanding High School Volunteer for her work with camp.

 

While all of our volunteers make a difference, Sierra stands out from the crowd. She began volunteering in 2013 at Camp Friendship and has since become an important part of camp. To date, Sierra has volunteered 579 hours through 5 weeks of summer camp, 1 week of winter camp and multiple Respite weekends. Every time Sierra steps onto camp she is prepared to give campers the best experience possible. At 15 years old, Sierra's fun and positive energy is balanced with confidence, maturity and compassion. She sets a high standard for our other youth volunteers.

 Thank you and congratulations, Sierra! 

Save the Date!SavetheDate
TONIGHT December 5 Annual Auxiliary Wine and Cheese party - Held in the Camp Friendship Dining Hall at 6 p.m.. Tickets $20 at the door.  Sample wine and beer from Coborns and enjoy delicious food made by the dedicated Auxiliary members.  Silent auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes!  All donations will go towards scholarships for True Friends Campers. 

 

December 6 Darin Hayes Benefit - Darin, one of True Friends food service staff, was seriously injured in a car accident. Join us at the Degross Center at Camp Friendship from 1-5 p.m. for a pasta bar, silent auction and live music. Tickets are $15. 


December 27-31 Winter Camp -
Join us at Camp Courage or Camp Friendship for Winter Camp! Campers will have the option of outdoor activities like sledding or building snow forts or be able to relax inside with crafts, games and gym activities. Find out more details here or register today.

January 9-11
Camp Courage Crafting Weekend - This weekend package includes two nights of lodging, five homemade meals and crafting space. Sign up  today!

Jan 30-Feb 1
Camp Friendship Crafting Weekend - This weekend package includes two nights of lodging, five homemade meals and crafting space. Sign up today!

January 31
Maple Lake Arctic Plunge - Jump if you dare! Form a team and take the plunge to raise money for camp. If you can't jump, you can sponsor a team to jump for you. For more information go to www.maplelakeonline.com/icefishingderby or call 952.697.2293 
Giving is GoodGivingisGood
$11,105 raised + $10,000 Match = $21,105 for Camp Eden Wood

The generosity of our donors never ceases to amaze us! We exceed our goal for this year's Give to the Max Day. We can now put an additional $21,105 towards a multi-sensory playground at Camp Eden Wood.  The project is scheduled to be complete spring of 2015. We invite you to come to camp next summer to experience the impact from this amazing new, custom, accessible playground.
Thank you for supporting children and adults with disabilities!
True Friends Can ...GivingisGood
... Build a good night's sleep for campers!

Ten members of the Le Sauk Township Lions Club spent one sunny Saturday building 13 wooden beds for camp. These will replace the narrow, metal cots, and give more campers and counselors a more comfortable night's sleep than in the past. The club plans to build 13 more of these upgraded beds next year. This Lions club does something each year to improve our camp facilities, and they share an ice cream social with our campers every summer, as well. Thank you Le Sauk Township Lions for all of the wonderful support you give to True Friends!  You Rock! 

True Friends in the newsGivingisGood

The True Friends Board decided to discontinue our used goods donation program with Savers/Apogee. True Friends was one of six charities identified in a MN Attorney General news release last week that stated Savers practices did not follow donor intent, transparency and compliance. In swift action by the board, True Friends severed ties with Savers. "While the revenue was an important source of funds for True Friends, sometimes decisions need to go beyond dollars and be defined by principle," said President & CEO Ed Strake. 

True Friends | 800.450.8376 | news@truefriends.org | www.truefriends.org
10509 108th Street NW Annandale, MN 55302
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