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Community Corner

Duluth Rotary Sends 27 Kids to Camp

Winter poker/casino party and spring golf tournament provide funds for summer day camp.

For the second consecutive year, Rotary Club of Duluth has made it possible for Rainbow Village children to attend summer day camp at Bunten Road Park in Duluth. Last Sunday (June 12) Duluth Rotary hosted a celebratory cookout with horseback rides at Rogers Bridge Park for the families participating in the summer camp program  

Duluth Rotary sponsored two separate fund-raising events earlier this year -- a winter poker/bingo party at Gwinnett Place Marriott and a spring golf tournament at Chateau Élan -- so that all Rainbow Village children of eligible age could attend summer day camp. Duluth-based Rainbow Village supports families in dire need with temporary housing, job training, parenting classes, and other programs that lead to self-sufficiency.

With tremendous enthusiasm and cooperation from club members, local businesses, private citizens, and the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department, Duluth Rotary presented nearly $16,000 to Rainbow Village that enabled 27 youngsters, ages four to 15, to take part as campers, counselors-in-training or counselor technicians. The funds allow the youngsters to attend all 10 weeks of summer camp sponsored by the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department. Camp began May 31 and continues through Aug. 5. Each week of camp has a different fun theme.

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“I want Duluth Rotary to know what a worthwhile opportunity they have created on behalf of our children and their parents,” said Sondra Blue, Children and Youth Program Director at Rainbow Village. “Instead of struggling to provide daycare this summer, our moms have peace of mind that their kids are in a safe, productive environment, where they are learning new skills and making friends.”

According to Kathy Marelle, director of the City of Duluth Parks and Recreation, a wide range of age-appropriate activities -- tennis, swimming, dance -- and specialty camps, like basketball and soccer, are offered to foster enjoyment and growth. “It’s wonderful to see that our day camp attracts youngsters from throughout our community,” Marelle said. The camp is also a great experience for counselors-in-training and counselor technicians, she said. “They learn about job responsibility while gaining important social skills.”

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All agree that Rotary Club of Duluth’s investment in time and money is worthwhile. “We are blessed as a club to be part of this endeavor,” said Rotary Club of Duluth President Stephen Franzien. In response, Rev. Nancy Yancey, CEO of Rainbow Village, said: “Your club is a prime example of a group who saw a vital need in our community and filled it.”

For more information about the Rotary Club of Duluth, visit the organization’s Web site at www.clubrunner.ca/duluth.  Learn more about Rainbow Village at www.rainbowvillage.org.

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