By Sheldon Spackman

In Need Of Help

GoFundMe campaign launched for Camp L.G. Barnes

Jan 6, 2021 | 4:21 PM

A central Alberta woman is taking matters into her own hands in hopes of garnering community support for a local camp tailored to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

Allene Stilling has started a GoFundMe campaign for Camp LG. Barnes, located along the southwest shore of Gull Lake near Bentley.

Stilling says when she heard last fall that the camp would be losing its government funding, she wanted to do something to help.

“I just thought that was such a terrible thing and I didn’t even know the camp was there,” she says. “I just thought if they were losing public funds, why couldn’t we raise some private funds for them?”

After learning of its existence, Stilling arranged to take a tour of the facility and discovered how unique it truly is.

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“Just their attention to detail for people with accessibility issues,” says Stilling. “They have day-use rooms set up or overnight rooms that are set up for people who may need help getting in and out of wheelchairs. And it’s not secular, it doesn’t matter young or old or what the issue is, they have something that helps out.”

Deb Simmons, President of the Society of Parents and Friends of Michener Centre which owns and operates the camp, says they’re very grateful for Stilling’s efforts in trying to keep the camp open once the pandemic allows.

“To have it come from someone that has nothing to do with the camp is just amazing,” exclaims Simmons.

She notes, however, that the camp will lose its staff funding from Michener and its last staff member on February 25.

“We had a provision of almost $750,000 a year for staffing that provided for five full-time staff and about eight summer staff,” explains Simmons. “So if you think about $150,000 (the campaign goal) – that would be two years-worth of staffing going forward.”

Normally with roughly 4,500 visitors to Camp L.G. Barnes each year, Simmons feels it will be a long time before the camp will be back to where it was prior to getting shut down by the pandemic on March 17, 2020.

“Losing everything and having COVID is going to take such a toll that $150,000 will help us get the doors open, will help us hire some people, and will also help us get back on our feet again,” suggests Simmons. “We have also a grant that we get from Community and Social Services to cover operational expenses. It’s about $52,000. We’re hoping that by re-applying for it, we can get it again for another year.”

Simmons admits though, that COVID-19 and its current health restrictions have had a major impact on their ability to generate revenue.

“A lot of our funding comes from casinos, AGLC funds,” says Simmons. “We get that once every 18 months, but now, we won’t see any of that until maybe late 2022. Hopefully by April 1 we can start making some money and get the doors open.”

Until such time, Simmons says it will largely be up to volunteers and other fundraising initiatives such as the GoFundMe campaign to help keep the camp open.

“We started a 50/50 draw and it goes for six months. We’re hoping the proceeds will go towards the care of the animals because that’s our number one priority right now. We have to take care of them and we will.”