Rotary Etobicoke Funding Children to Attend Summer Camp

 

 

On Tuesday, May 23, Andre and Gillian, on behalf of Rotary Etobicoke's Community Services Committee, presented a cheque for $2,500 to Mike McGinnis, President of St. Vincent de Paul Society.     Our funding comes at a most opportune time to ensure that more children from disadvantaged homes, single parent families or challenged financial home environments will find themselves on the list of attendees for summer camp.    St. Vincent de Paul's goal is to send over 1,600 children to camp this year.   Marygrove Camp for girls aged between 5 and 13 is located in Penetenguishene.     The previously rented but recently purchased Camp Ozunam for boys aged between 7 and 12 is located in South River, north of Huntsville.     The  number of children who will benefit from attending camp is always growing and St. Vincent de Paul is hoping to extend the boys camp for one extra week.    Many of the children selected to attend summer camp have phoned St. Vincent de Paul's help line themselves.    After a home assessment visit with the children and families , as well as offering other forms of support, St. Vincent de Paul seeks community funding to help send the children to camp.   Most are city children who have never been able to participate in the camps' programs such as canoeing, fishing, swimming,  hiking, BBQs,  team challenges and games along with campfire songs and making new friendships.      In the photo are St. Vincent de Paul's President Mike McGinnis, Vice President John Menary,  Secretary Jolanta Galazka,  Youth Camp Director Alan and Etobicoke Warehouse Manager Stephen.