Help send a County kid to camp

PEMBROKE - The cost of summer camp experiences can be too expensive for many families, averaging $300/week for overnight camps and $125/week for day camps. That’s why Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County, with the support of many community partners and individuals, is hopeful to be able to fund summer camp for approximately 200 local children this year with its Send a County Kid to Camp campaign.

“The generosity of the Renfrew County community, including our many countywide service clubs, businesses and faith community, is how we’ve been able to send local kids to camp for many years now,” said Jeff List, Acting Executive Director, FCSRC. “Our hope is that we can continue to support families with this big financial expense, and our community is certainly showing us how committed they are to help make it happen.”

This year, many businesses are hosting their own fundraising efforts and FCSRC is continuing to welcome any person, business or organization who can support to contact us with their ideas. Some of the fun ways to support the campaign include:

• Purchases & Participation: A number of businesses across the county, including Blendz Smoothie Shop & Healthy Eatery (Pembroke) and Renfrew Pizzaria will be donating a portion of sales on some of their menu items to the Send a County Kid to Camp campaign. Donations are also anticipated from a fundraising trivia night hosted by The City of Pembroke, community yoga classes hosted by Bodhi Wellness Centre (Deep River), a sign nite hosted by the FCSRC Youth Advisory Committee and a BBQ at The Brick Pembroke’s annual tent sale.
• DIY Lemonade Stand Kit Sales: Families across the county can purchase Pinterest-inspired lemonade stand kits thanks to the generous support of Labine Printers. Kits will be available in May for purchase.
• Baby Wear Sales: In partnership with Renfrew Printing, FCSRC will be selling some adorable baby ‘Happy Camper’ onesies in May.

Details on these initiatives will be available soon at www.fcsrenfrew.on.ca and Facebook. Additionally, individuals, groups or businesses are welcome to donate to the fund online by visiting the FCSRC website, via mail to Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County or by dropping off at 77 Mary St. Pembroke or Renfrew office at 114 Argyle St.

FCSRC is also grateful to many other county businesses and organizations supporting the campaign, including: MyFM Pembroke, Mulvihill Drug Mart, Ullrich’s Butcher Shop, Catering and Delicatessen, Brum’s Dairy, Skylight Drive In, Bonnechere Bakery & Bistro and the Ottawa Senators Foundation.

All donations from the Send a County Kid to Camp campaign are placed in the Darlene Aikens Fund – a fund established in 1980 in memory of Darlene Aikens, a dedicated social worker and supervisor at FCSRC.