By Alana Butler | Executive Director
When I read these words, written by Duane, a young boy who came back from one of Amnicon’s canoe trips, questions came to my mind.
I wondered what kind of home life he has. I have a pretty good idea of what it could be like since I know something of his neighborhood.
His home life could be one of poverty, where money is in short supply. Or where parents are so stressed out they have little time nor inclination to give him the loving attention he needs. Or where peer pressure at school and on the streets is luring him into trouble.
Many of the kids to come to Amnicon are “at-risk” kids which means they are at risk of not making it into a fulfilling adulthood. They risk failing to finish school. They risk making poor decisions which will haunt them rest of their lives.
For many of them they truly do need to be saved from this kind of home life. Another question I asked myself was, “What is it about the Amnicon trips that would lead a young person to say it saved his life”?
The answer to this question is clear because I know what happens on our trips. The young people are in new surroundings, on a fun adventure, surrounded by caring Christian people.
Duane experienced this caring community because he also wrote, “I got to share my thoughts with people… and grow a family.”
Amnicon’s trips are adventures for young people – adventures on the rivers, on Lake Superior, and most of all, adventures in their spiritual journeys.
This summer I anticipate 70 more youth than last summer. That’s great… but it also means an additional $50,000 in gifts to the annual fund will be needed to cover the cost of serving these kids.
Did you know that every child who attends Amnicon receives campership help – that is, help in covering the cost of a week of camp?
The full cost is $950 per child per week. The fee charged is $450 so that means gifts of $500 are needed for every fee paid. And there are many children who simply cannot afford to pay much at all, if anything, toward the fee.
That’s why I’m writing you today. Will you help a young person come to Amnicon this summer by sharing a generous gift to the Annual Fund?
Your gift of $950 will cover the cost of one child… $500 will join with the fee a child pays… and every size gift – $25, $50, 100 or more -- will make it possible for children to have adventures that save their lives.
Young people – many of whom are at-risk – will be coming to Amnicon this summer looking for the opportunity to get a new lease on life. Thanks for helping them.
Sincerely,
Alana Butler, Executive Director
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