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Camp Friendship Auxiliary - Supporting Programs for 30 Years
For 30 years Friendship Ventures has had the support and assistance of a great group of women – the Camp Friendship Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is a group of retired women who live in the Annandale and Clearwater Lake area who help with mailing projects and raise money for needed items at Camp Friendship.
Cathy Varner, president of the Auxiliary, said that a number of the women have been members for 20 years. “We get together, visit and work,” she described. “It’s a help for the camp and everyone enjoys doing it. We meet new people and get to know each other. It’s very enjoyable and we know Friendship Ventures appreciates it."
Most of the 32 members became involved after a friend or neighbor introduced them to the Auxiliary. One member, Evelyn Smith, has done more than her share of recruiting new members in the last few years. She has made it a family affair -- Auxiliary president Cathy Varner is her daughter. “Cathy had moved back to the area,” Evelyn recalled, “I took her with me (to help with a mailing) and she loved it and joined.”
When another of Evelyn’s daughters, Karen Larson, moved to the area, she also joined. Evelyn’s daughter-in-law Clare Smith became a member and was just elected secretary. Evelyn isn’t finished recruiting yet. “I have one more daughter who lives in Champlin and she’s not ready to retire yet,” she said. “I imagine she’ll join us when she does.”
She’ll join a group that has proven to be a very valuable resource for Friendship Ventures. They manage all mailings for the agency, sending out program brochures, newsletters, annual reports and fundraising appeals. Those mailings, ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 pieces, require stuffing, labeling, sorting and bundling. The group has helped Friendship Ventures immeasurably, volunteering at least 1,000 hours every year.
The Auxiliary hosts the Holiday Wine and Cheese party every December, a fundraiser that has become a holiday tradition at Camp Friendship. Recently the auxiliary donated the $5,700 raised at that party to purchase a snowplow, 10 tables and kitchen supplies.
Friendship Ventures thanks auxiliary members for all their contributions with a luncheon. This time, though, they’re the guests, and their servers are Friendship Ventures staff. It’s a small gesture to show the gratitude of all of Friendship Ventures to the wonderful group of auxiliary
Friendship Ventures is a non-profit agency that creates unique educational, recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. We also offer conference and retreat services and professional team-building programs to the communities we serve. Friendship Ventures operates Camp Friendship near Annandale, MN and Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, MN.