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Bill Bradford: Keeping Program Centers Running for 20 years:·
Scholarships awarded to Seasonal Staff:·
Happy Holidays from Friendship Ventures:·
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"Dear friends,
"Camp in June, camp in
June." If I only had a nickel for each time my son Joshua says that! Christmas
and birthdays are special, but nothing is bigger for us than Joshua's annual
week at Camp Friendship. Please know that without your generosity, this special
time could not happen. We are retired and on a very fixed income, so what a
blessing the scholarship program is for us.
Admittedly, the first year, it
was a very long week for Mom, but since then, as I see how excited Joshua is,
I've been able to relax - I even went out of town one day this summer!!
Campfires, roasting marshmallows, fishing, swimming and boat rides highlight his
week, but nothing tops the farm and the PIGS!
Thank you for your support and
aid. We sure hope you are able to help again next year."
~Parent
Snapshots of Friendship
A monthly news update from Camp Friendship, Camp New Hope & Eden Wood Center
December Features
Bill Bradford: Keeping Program
Centers Running for 20 years.
Consider the maintenance required for your
home. Now multiply that by 60, add in acres of lawn and woods, three
lakefronts, five boats, and you have an idea of Bill Bradford’s
responsibilities as physical plant director for Friendship Ventures. This
summer marked 20 years that Bill Bradford has met the challenge.
Bill first
worked a summer maintenance job, after which he was offered the full time
position. His role has changed as Friendship Ventures has grown and changed.
“The agency has grown tremendously from those days,” Bill said. “It is now so much busier than it was. We only operated summer and winter camp then. Now it is bigger, in programs, sites and operations. My job has also grown and expanded more than ever.”
Bill began managing Camp Friendship only by himself. Now, with three sites to maintain, he oversees five employees.
Bill counts among his accomplishments improving the appearance of Camp Friendship and finding ways to best respond to the needs of participants. “We’ve had to do some experimenting to find things that work,” he said. “A lot happens here that is different than in other parts of the world. We keep our eyes open and discover ways to make things work for us.”
Bill plans to retire in several years and hopes to stay involved with Friendship Ventures. “I enjoy this job; it’s so multi-faceted,” Bill noted. “I enjoy the challenges and the variety.”
The entire Friendship Ventures community has benefited from Bill’s devotions and efforts. “Bill has made such a tremendous contribution to Friendship Ventures in his 20 years,” Georgann Rumsey, president and CEO of Friendship Ventures said. “We have relied on his expertise for dozens of major projects, and we benefit consistently from his attention to every detail involved in maintaining our sites. This anniversary is a good opportunity for us to express our appreciation for Bill’s years of dedication to Friendship Ventures.
Scholarships Awarded to Seasonal Staff
Working at a Friendship Ventures summer camp
offers college students more than a paycheck, it offers job experience and
lessons in empathy, patience and diversity. For six summer staff members, it
was worth even more, as they received scholarships to reward them for their
contributions this summer.
Jennie Morvak of Manitowoc, Wisc., was awarded the $1,000 Jennifer Erkens Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship, named for a former Friendship Ventures counselor who died in a car accident, was established by the Erkens family as a way to carry on their daughter’s legacy and benefit dedicated summer staff. This is the fourth time the scholarship has been given to an outstanding staff member.
Jennie, a music therapy major at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, received the award because of her excellent leadership skills and her commitment and loyalty to participants in Friendship Ventures programs.
Other students also received scholarships:
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Melissa Kuisle, Rochester, a biology major at St. Olaf College, hopes to become a family practice physician focusing on families who have a member with developmental disabilities.
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Kristina Hesse, Chaska, a communication disorders major at University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, plans a career as a speech language pathologist.
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Charlotte Henning, St. Cloud, is majoring in communications disorders at the University of South Dakota and expects to work as an occupational therapist.
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Hailey Deloya, Edina, is a special education major at the University of Wisconsin Madison.
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Erik Chipman, Duluth, a nursing major at the College of St. Scholastica, has spent six summers working for Friendship Ventures.
Winter Camp
Just Days Away!
It’s not too late to
register for a five-day winter camp experience at Camp Friendship or a
winter weekender at either Camp Friendship or Eden Wood Center. Winter Camp
is scheduled for December 27-31 and January 2-6. Join us for
sessions like Broom Ball Classic, Jazzy Jewelry, Foot Loose and Memories of
Friendship. Winter weekenders begin December 30 and continue weekends until
January 29. With all the snow, it’s going to be great! Call 952-852-0101
for information.
Happy Holidays from Friendship Ventures!
In
It’s a Wonderful Life, Clarence the angel said, “No man is a failure
who has friends.” Friendship Ventures is privileged to help give the gift of
friendship to thousands of children and adults with developmental
disabilities every year. We are also very grateful to have the friendship of
thousands of volunteers, donors, supporters, participants and families.
Please accept our thanks for your friendship, which brings joy and meaning to the lives of our participants. We wish you a year filled with hope, friendship and happy memories.
Happy Holidays!
Georgann
Rumsey,
President & CEO
Thanks to donors
Special
thanks to these donors for their recent contributions:
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J & B Wholesale, St. Michael, for scholarships.
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Crow Wing Power Community Trust, Brainerd, for scholarships.
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Fairhaven Lions Club, campership donation.
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Kathy and Tom Miller Foundation, Edina, for scholarships.
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Clearwater Lions Club, arts and crafts building renovation project.
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Wright Hennepin Electric Cooperative, Rockford, donation for technology upgrades.
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Sy & Sons Incorporated, St. Cloud, for scholarships.
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Camp New Hope Wagon Train, Brook Park, donation for Camp New Hope.
Thanks to all donors for your support!
YOU CAN HELP:
To give a gift to children and adults with disabilities,
Click to access our secure, on-line giving site. Your support will make
all the difference in the world.
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, Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, MN and Camp New Hope near McGregor, MN.