The Donalda Community Hall was bustling with activity as the local community and Living Hope Camp friends and supporters came together to fundraise for the Living Hope Camp on Saturday evening, March 12.
"In 2006 the Living Hope Camp Association (LHCA) board of directors decided they needed to do some fundraising to help keep the registration fee for families attending camp reasonable as the fees only cover part of the cost of the camp facilities and programs," said Carol Montgomery, treasurer. "The rest is covered by free will offerings, but they also wanted to add some activities for the youth such as an overnight canoe trip and evening children's ministry."
The first year of the fundraising event was in 2007, which was held in the town with a roast beef supper by Teresa's Catering, along with a dinner theatre and live and silent auctions.
"Since the evening turned out to be a huge success, for the next nine years, i.e., up until now, my husband Wade, who is also the president of LHCA, myself and the committee have organized the fundraiser following the same pattern," said Montgomery. "Each year we host it here in Donalda, starting out with a roast beef supper by Teresa's Catering followed by entertainment and live and silent auctions."
According to Montgomery, entertainment has included various singing groups, dinner theatres, cowboy poetry, and standup comedians.
"However, the last two years the entertainment has just been the live auction, as many people commented that auctioneer Albern Bergstrom and bid takers, Brad Lohr and David Vikse were entertaining enough," said Montgomery.
All of the items for the last 10 auctions have been donated by members of the LHCA, friends, family and community with a lot of them being homemade.
"Last year, we had 132 people in attendance, but this year it was a great success too as we raised over $7,000," explained Montgomery. "LHCA can't thank everyone eough who attended to show their generous and continued support."
Living Hope Camp Association is a Christian family camp supported by four Lutherans churches and their members, which include Asker and Calvary from east of Ponoka; and Sharon and former Bethany from Donalda.
The LHCA rents the "wonderful facilities" at Deer Valley Meadows for the week of the camp.
"Guest speakers and teachers are invited to share God's work and help refresh and renew our relationships with Jesus Christ," said Montgomery. "The camp is structured by a daily schedule which includes morning, afternoon and evening prayer ministry; morning and evening praise and music ministry; morning teaching sessions divided into various age groups; afternoon activities, quiet time, canteen; and of course all meals and snacks and lots of time for fellowship."
The evening is filled with a great family experience around the campfire, with cocoa and cookies, said Montgomery.
The Living Hope Camp will be held this year from Aug. 1-7.