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Exciting Times Ahead
A message from the Executive Director
As the seasons change from summer to fall the organization is busy running it's facility rental program. In an effort to offset the cost of operations ensuring donor dollars are spent implementing summer camp programs we facilitate numerous groups throughout the fall to generate much needed revenue. We are grateful to those groups who choose our facility as their retreat destination of choice as the program generates in excess of $600K in revenue each year.
With the end of the calendar year only a few weeks away many hard decisions will need to be made as the increase in the Alberta minimum wage will surely cause our 2019 costs to rise. More than ever we will be counting on the generous Alberta community to ensure Camp Health, Hope & Happiness has the resources to continue providing programs to those individuals who look so forward to their summer camping experience.
We once again realized increasing demand for our programs this past summer. As a result the dream of expanding the facility has become a reality once again. The long-term plan to have more space available each summer for individuals with disabilities hinges on a capital intensive infrastructure project consisting of an additional housing unit and dining hall expansion. We trust over the next few years this vision will become a reality with the support of our current supporters while we forge new partnerships with the very generous Alberta business community.
We look forward to the challenge of upholding our reputation as Canada's premier summer camp for people with disabilities.
Thank you for your committed support to our efforts in making a difference in the community of Albertans with disabilities.
Warm Regards,
Greg Nielsen
Executive Director
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How did this end so quickly? |
2018 Summer Camps
The last few days of camp are always difficult. Campers and staff alike sad that their summer camp experience is coming to an end. The last few campers load onto the bus and it heads back to Edmonton. A day or two later summer staff pack their belongings, clean their accommodations, say their good byes and slowly disperse back to their lives away from camp. A big adjustment from the ongoing four month hustle and bustle of summer camp as the facility sits empty. We always miss our campers and staff this time of year; their memories fuel the fire to begin preparations for next year.
The 2018 summer camp season was a great success. We were fortunate to share wonderful times and make amazing memories with 743 campers this summer. An opportunity to provide individuals time and space to experience new challenges, meet new friends, and genuinely express their authentic selves in a supportive environment.
We are grateful for the opportunity to learn so many positive life lessons from this wonderful group of people!
If you have any questions regarding our 2019 summer camp programs for individuals with special needs contact Kelly French at
Kelly@camphehoha.com
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| 2018 Summer Staff Each year Camp He Ho Ha employees 35 summer staff to provide care for the hundreds of campers that visit our facility. These amazing post secondary students from across Canada commit 4 months to making a difference in the lives of Albertans with special needs. Many thanks to the 2018 group of staff for making dreams come true for people with disabilities at Camp He Ho Ha! Visit the Camp He Ho Ha website |
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WFG Richard Cender Memorial Golf Tournament
The 1st annual Richard Cender Memorial charity golf event in support of Camp He Ho Ha was held August 17th, 2018 at Eagle Rock Golf Course near Beaumont.
The warm sunshine and great group of golfers in attendance made the day one to remember. As the golf balls flew left, right and the odd one straight down the fairway the roars from the various groups could be heard as the long drives hit the fairway, tee shots attacked the flags, and the mulligans melted away as the 18 holes were played.
A wonderful meal, silent auction, and award ceremony followed the day's golf events and a great time was had by all in attendance. Well done WFG crew!
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| Thank you to all who organized, volunteered, sponsored and participated! |
We can't thank the folks at the WFG South Side office for all their financial support of Camp He Ho Ha over the past 3 years. We are grateful for your friendship, belief in our programs and your commitment to improve the Camp Health, Hope & Happiness community!
Tina Pollock, Greg Nielsen, Kim Lundquist
The event was a huge success raising in excess of $30,000 in support of Camp He Ho Ha and individuals with special needs!
WHO YOU ARE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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HEALYEG - Rise Up
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| Amazing humans making a difference in this world |
"HEAL YEG is an Edmonton-based non-profit organization raising funds for other non-profit organizations. It is our mission to give a voice to those who can't speak for themselves. HEAL YEG is Helping Everyone Accept Love."
Saturday, August 24th found the HEALYEG crew at the Urban Tavern in Edmonton hosting an amazing evening of live music, tasty cocktails and numerous fund raising activities that had the generous attendees eager to support the charitable cause.
When the last note had been played and the last beverage served the event had raised an outstanding $10,000 in support of Camp Health, Hope & Happiness on Lake Isle.
Many thanks to John, Jori, Caitlin, Meaghan and Evan for organizing this awesome event. Your commitment to changing the Camp He Ho Ha with financial support as well as community awareness is so appreciated.
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Visit HEAL YEG
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Your efforts are inspiring!
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Facility Rental Groups
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| Camp Health, Hope & Happiness on Lake Isle |
One of the cornerstones of the Camp He Ho Ha business model is our facility rental program. Throughout the 2018 calendar in excess of 55 unique and varied groups booked to stay in our accommodations, access meeting spaces, utilize recreational opportunities, as well as enjoy our meal services. The rental program generates roughly 25% of our annual budget and is imperative to supporting our summer camp programs for individuals with special needs during the summer.
With September just around the corner we look forward to the dozens of groups staying with us over the next few months! Thank you for choosing Camp He Ho Ha; your support is so very much appreciated!
If you are interested in exploring the options to host a retreat at our location please contact
bobbi@camphehoha.com
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Kids With Cancer Society
We are proud to provide the Kids with Cancer Society of Northern Alberta a location for their annual retreat each fall.
"This four day weekend at Camp He Ho Ha provides an indoor camping experience for families who are at various stages of the disease and survivorship. Activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, mini golf, climbing wall, family dances, and ropes course provides families with an opportunity to reach out to others and promote interaction and acceptance. At the end of the weekend many of the families leave the camp with a sense that they are not alone in the fight against childhood cancer. It also provides newly diagnosed families with a feeling of hope as they see children who have survived the disease." - KWC
Many thanks to the organizing committee for choosing Camp Health, Hope & Happiness on Lake Isle.
If you are interested in exploring the options to host a retreat at our location please contact
bobbi@camphehoha.com
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People Making a Difference at He Ho Ha
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St. Albert ACT/UCT #1024
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| Piles and Piles for Miles and Miles |
The St. Albert ACT/UCT #1024 service club have been long time supporters of Camp He Ho Ha and our mission to provide summer programs to Albertans with disabilities. We are fortunate to have them believe in our organization, programs and our desire to support the community of Albertans with disabilities.
This time of year creates a Sunday afternoon of fall clean-up in many back yards around the province as the first frost hits, leaves turn, and the wind blows. The Camp He Ha Ha backyard is vast and this time of year has our maintenance team dreaming of falling leaves for weeks on end.
When the wind blows here the leaves produce piles and piles for what seems like miles and miles. Just when we found ourselves wondering how we would find time this wonderful group of volunteers committed an entire Friday to making a difference at Camp He Ho Ha.
The St. Albert ACT/UCT's mission is to unite people with a common passion for good citizenship and volunteerism to improve their local communities.
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Vic Nielsen - retired maintenance advisor
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| Thank you Vic for all that you do |
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Vic Nielsen joined the Camp Health, Hope & Happiness staff team March 16th, 1991. He managed the maintenance operations for over 2 decades and is responsible for the pristine grounds, amazing infrastructure and mechanically sound facility that we enjoy today.
The organization has been fortunate beyond belief to have had the services of such a hard working, talented, resourceful, and dedicated employee support the operations for the past 27 years.
Vic is working at spending less time in his work boots at Camp Health, Hope & Happiness and more time in his sandals in Osoyoos, BC. However we are grateful to still have his support when needed.
Thank you Vic for your knowledge and support. You sir are a Top Shelf man!
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The Tree of Hope recognizes supporters of Camp He Ho Ha giving $5000 or greater in support of individuals with disabilities.
For more information on becoming a Tree of Hope Donor, please contact
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| Thank you for your generous support of Camp He Ho Ha! |
Thank you to all the individuals, business organizations, and groups that visited Camp He Ho Ha this summer or invited us for a visit elsewhere.
Here are just a few of the many stories of the amazing supporters of camp that we would like to share with you!
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In memory of Tom Chwelos
Ty, Holly and Debi Debelser
This amazing story of people making a difference started in the spring of 2016 with an incoming phone call to our offices. On the end of the line was a lady who introduced herself as Debi Debelser. Little did we know at that time how that phone call would positively change the future of Camp He Ho Ha.
We soon learned that her brother Tom Chwelos had attended camp for many years. The time Tom spent at camp was very special to both him and the rest of the Chwelos family. So much so that Tom and Debi's parents Mike and Audrey Chwelos left a legacy gift in the amount of $500,000 after Mike passed in 2010 and Audrey in 2015. This generous gift to camp was made in loving memory of their son Tom. I sincerely wish I had the opportunity to meet you and thank you for your amazing generosity.
This past summer when we had the pleasure of sharing the magic of Camp He Ho Ha with Debi Debelser, her husband Ty and daughter Holly. It was an opportunity for the family to visit the place that their beloved brother, brother-in- law and uncle spent time at each summer. Thank you for taking the time to visit us!
Sadly Tom passed at the young age of 55 on May 9th, 2005 just as the programs at his favourite summer camp were about to get started on Lake Isle.
Tom positively changed the lives of everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him. Tom will always be remembered for his big smile, kind heart, willingness to lend a hand, support of others, and his genuine love of camp and his fellow campers.
Words cannot express the gratitude we have for the Chwelos Family Foundation for the generous support of Camp Health, Hope & Happiness and our summer programs for Albertans with special needs
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Allin Clinic
Thank you for your support!
The Allin Clinic Social Committee are such a great group of people working hard to make a difference in their community. Camp Health, Hope & Happiness Society was fortunate to be selected as the recipient charity of the social committee for the 2018 calendar year. We are so grateful they chose us.
As a result the staff at the Allin Clinic have been busy with numerous fundraising initiatives over the past several months to raise funds in support of Camp and individuals with special needs.
It was great to have a group of the Allin Clinic staff and their families visit while our third camp for adults with mental disabilities was running. Thank you for taking the time to see how your support makes a difference in the lives of our 743 campers that attended in 2018.
We feel fortunate to have the Allin Clinic family supporting our efforts to ensure Albertans with disabilities have a barrier free summer camping adventure!
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Compete to Contribute - Challenger Baseball
"The Compete to Contribute organization has a mission to inspire and empower youth to engage in creating a healthier community. Very recently they awarded over $27,000 to local non-profit organizations in the Tri-region.
Compete to Contribute began in 2016 with an idea to challenge youth participating in non-profit, extracurricular activities by partaking in acts of service to better the community. Through these acts of service, we want to inspire breakthroughs in the way children see their community and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives."
The Challenger Baseball program in Spruce Grove provides an opportunity for children and youth with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participating in baseball at a level structured to their abilities. Buddies are assigned to each player to help provide a safe and enjoyable experience and to assist players with all aspects of the game.
The program aims to teach children and youth the core life skills inherent to baseball, including teamwork, communication, determination, resiliency, inclusion, independence, confidence, self-esteem, social skills and courage. The program also aims to provide experiences that enhance the lives of children and youth with special needs and their families.
Camp He Ho Ha was fortunate to be selected as the recipient of a baseball tournament and carnival fundraiser as part of the Compete to Contribute challenge. The evening event raised in excess of $4,500 in support of the summer programs at He Ho Ha.
As a result of their amazing efforts The Challenger Baseball organization in Spruce Grove was awarded 4th place by the Compete to Contribute organization and they received $2,715 to support their baseball program.
Many thanks to both organizations for supporting Camp He Ho Ha on Lake Isle!
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Kiwanis Club of South Edmonton
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| Thanks for taking time to visit |
One of the organizations dreams is to share the gift of camp with every individual, corporate group, service club that provides financial support to Camp He Ho Ha. It was wonderful to have the members from the Kiwanis Club of South Edmonton out for a visit to spend a few hours while our summer camp programs were running.
The club membership has been supporting individuals with disabilities who attend Camp He Ho Ha for decades and their continued support is so important to the operation of our summer programs in session.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this summer and know how much we appreciate your financial support!
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Edmonton Realtors Community Foundation
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| $100,000 in Support of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton |
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, the biggest Habitat in Canada, received a $100,000 donation from the Realtors Community Foundation to use towards the build of a new home for a family in need.
The Realtors Foundation has been "a great champion for many years" of an organization which believes everyone deserves to own their own home.
The Realtors Community Foundation was formed in 1986 due to the number of requests received from Edmonton and surrounding area charities, Since then the foundation has given more than $4 million to grassroots charities. In the past year they were able to donate $251,000 to local charities.
Camp He Ho Ha was grateful for the opportunity to attend the The Big Give Event in support of the Edmonton Realtors Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Edmonton.
Thank you for making a BIG difference in the community!
Edmonton Realtors Community Foundation |
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Stony Plain Kinsmen
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| Thank you! |
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Camp He Ho Ha was excited to receive an invitation to attend the 2nd annual Stony Plain Kinsmen Partners event on October 5th, 2018. The members of the Stony Plain club are a vibrant group with a deep desire to serve the needs of their community.
It was amazing to see so many local charity groups receive funding from the Stony Plain club. This group is certainly making a BIG difference in the lives of individuals in the communities they support.
Many thanks to the members of The Kinsmen Club of Stony Plain for believing in Camp Health, Hope & Happiness Society. Please know that the work we do would not be possible without your support!
WE APPRECIATE YOU!
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Stony Plain Rotary Club
On October 24th, 2018 Camp He Ho Ha was invited to the Stony Plain Rotary Clubs breakfast meeting. It was a fantastic opportunity to update the Rotary members on the camp facilities, summer programs and the future of camp.
Thank you to the Stony Plain Rotary Club for their ongoing support of individuals with special needs and Camp Health, Hope & Happiness on Lake Isle.
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| James and Jeanie Brown |
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In Memory of Jeanie Brown
We first had the privilege of meeting Jim and Jeanie Brown the summer of 2012. It was a beautiful summer afternoon and the camp was full to capacity; 80 children with mental disabilities busy enjoying camp life. Within the first few minutes of arriving Jeanie was visiting and having fun with campers all the while making them feel special and important.
The truth is that Jeanie had a way of making everyone in her life feel special and important. Her beautiful smile was contagious and her positive attitude inspiring. She was one very special lady.
Soon after that first visit to camp Jeanie became a strong supporter of our summer programs. She was a constant source of inspiration, encouragement, love and support.
Sadly we lost this beautiful soul this past spring. Our lives were forever changed in so many positive ways in the few short years we were blessed to have known her.
Thank you James for the generous memorial donation in memory of your beautiful Jeanie. I believe she is smiling knowing that she is still making a difference at Camp He Ho Ha and in the lives of individuals with special needs.
THOSE WE LOVE DON'T GO AWAY, THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERYDAY....UNSEEN, UNHEARD BUT ALWAYS NEAR, STILL LOVED, STILL MISSED AND VERY DEAR
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It will come as no surprise that Camp He Ho Ha is dependent on the generous financial support of the Alberta community to operate our summer programs for individuals with special needs.
Please mark your calendars and consider making a financial contribution to help us jump start our 2019 summer camping season!
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO
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Hope to see you soon at Camp He Ho Ha!
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