Recently, the Polaris Foundation donated a RANGER XP 900 equipped with several accessories to True Friends.
The RANGER XP 900 has been put to daily use at True Friends’ Camp Courage. From more than seven miles of trails, to the 1.5-mile driveway, 40 buildings and several miles of sidewalks, the staff requires vehicles to travel on-site and work at various locations across the campus.
“The RANGER is being used for every day maintenance projects which range from yard work, to facility set-up, equine projects, and land work,” said Conor McGrath, Director of Camping and Facilities at True Friends. “It has proven to be the perfect solution for Camp Courage, enabling staff to maneuver around campus and tackle multi-person tasks that require hauling equipment. It has been a blessing for towing trailers!”
True Friends plans to phase in the RANGER fleet and utilize as its primary on-site grounds and facility maintenance vehicles.
“This is a great opportunity for RANGER to support a local organization that is fundamentally driven by helping individuals of all abilities Think Outside every day,” said Chris Judson, Polaris employee and True Friends Board Member. “Thank you to the Polaris Foundation, ORV, and PG&A for helping to make this possible!”
Click here to learn more about the Polaris Foundation and their impact in the communities they serve.
This spring True Friends said goodbye to two incredibly influential friends of the organization.
Steve Holst
In May, Steve Holst, a long-time camper, staff member, traveler and amazing man passed away due to a heart attack. Steve spent over 40 years working at Camp Friendship!
During his eulogy by Steve's friend, Joanne Fieldseth, she had this to say:
"In 1987, Stevie was the very first recipient of the 'Friendship Award' for his help with fundraising and volunteer events. He was a member of the Owatonna Jaycees, Medford Knights of Columbus and Clearwater Lions. Every Memorial Day weekend, Stevie was at camp working on projects with his friends (including this most recent Memorial Day weekend with the Owatonna crew). He was also an avid traveler with Ventures Travel.
The Camp Friendship Auxiliary women loved him also! He may have grumbled when asked to do things at times, but you knew that he would do them and do so with a Cheshire cat grin before you thought about asking again.
A true friend, regardless of your status in life, he wanted nothing in return but your friendship. His gentle sweet soul, his beaming smile around his spikey stubble, the sparkle in those unforgettable twinkling eyes that made his whole face radiate. A beautiful, dedicated, loyal, simple man with a sprinkle of mischief!"
To read Steve's full eulogy click here.
To read Steve's obituary click here.
John Cross
John Cross, a long-time supporter of True Friends, passed away on May 22, 2019.
According to his obituary, "John was his own man very early in life and throughout. A generous man who loved his friends and family, John always made time to keep in touch with old friends. Donating to many causes throughout his lifetime, especially ones that help disabled children, was just one way John showed his generosity, love, and concern."
To read John's full obituary click here.
True Friends is heartbroken at the loss of these two great individuals; each of whom has made a lasting impact on the organization.
Camp Cambria Foundation Invested $2.2 Million in Camp Courage Remodel
In 2018, Cambria’s non-profit organization, the Camp Cambria Foundation, teamed up with non-profit True Friends on an incredible $2.2 million renovation to several buildings at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota. True Friends manages many camp locations in Minnesota including Camp Courage – home to Camp Cambria each summer. The Camp Cambria Foundation saw the importance and impact to renovate Camp Courage so kids would be able to access Camp Courage year round.
Previously, the dining hall at Camp Courage was closed from October through April due to the cold weather months. In the last year since completion and with the new year-round use of the dining hall and other facilities, True Friends Camp Courage saw a 46% increase in Conference and Retreat business with an increase of 15 groups, 507 people and $80,300 in revenue.
“The entrepreneurial partnership between the Camp Cambria Foundation and True Friends has launched us into a variety of new opportunities,” said President and CEO, John LeBlanc. “The renovation has enhanced our ability to provide person-centered care to more individuals, all in a beautifully renovated space designed specifically for the disability community.”
Camp Cambria’s donation allowed for an extensive renovation, including a complete gut of the dining hall, kitchen and health center, and major improvements to the arts & crafts building The dining hall was completely transformed into a safe and accessible gathering space with updated bathrooms and a new kitchen with an improved layout to accommodate serving meals to kids with special dietary restrictions. The installation of a new HVAC system now allows the facility to be utilized year-round, owing to the success of last year’s development efforts.
The health center – home to the hardworking nurses and medical staff, was completely overhauled, with the new space better serving the health needs of all campers. There is a fresh, dedicated exam room, new therapy tub, a large dividable medical room, a new staff dorm space and updated bathrooms. Cambria countertops are featured throughout the center, providing a nonporous, medically-safe surface for the staff to work on. Lastly, the arts & crafts building provides more accessibility with a warm, inviting, and inspirational atmosphere.
Camp Cambria, an annual camp where children living with juvenile arthritis enjoy all the fun activities summer camp has to offer, is one of many organizations that utilize the Camp Courage facility each year. In addition to Camp Cambria participants, 1,300+ children and adults thrive at the facility each summer. “The renovations to Camp Courage contributed greatly to the overall revenue increase,” said Director of Sales and Hospitality Amanda Evens. “Without the investment of the Camp Cambria Foundation, we would not have been able to serve these individuals.”
Marty Davis, President and CEO of Cambria says, “Camp Cambria was founded with a commitment to make a difference in the lives of young children living with chronic diseases, in particular, juvenile arthritis. Camp Cambria is a place where our kids feel good, realize peer enjoyment, form lifelong friendships, and build back up often diminished self-esteem. Thanks to the many amazing donors to the Camp Cambria Foundation, we are able to support our incredible kids living with juvenile arthritis. Through the rebuilding of many aspects of the facilities at Camp Courage, we have been excited to enhance the camp experience for many, many Minnesota kids who suffer from childhood diseases. Children with epilepsy, juvenile diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and many other challenging, debilitating diseases will benefit from these efforts and our commitment to Camp Cambria.”
To view the renovation video featuring Cambria brand advocate Matt Muenster, HGTV and DIY Network host, and to learn more about the project visit https://www.CambriaUSA.com/CCFReno.
About Camp Cambria
Camp Cambria began in Minnesota in 2014. It was founded by Marty Davis, CEO of Cambria, and his wife Anne, after learning of the disease through close friends who had a niece affected by the illness. Created in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation and funded through the generosity of the Camp Cambria Foundation and its generous donors, Camp Cambria is a week-long experience located in Maple Lake, MN at Camp Courage. Beyond an array of fun camp activities (horseback riding, archery and high-ropes to name a few), Camp Cambria Minnesota features facilities such as a pool heated to the ideal temperature for arthritis and supports campers in gaining new confidence in taking care of their health from trained medical staff and counselors who are there for them 24 hours a day. Camp Cambria serves children ages 8-17 who have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Over $4 million dollars has been raised to-date to support Camp Cambria Minnesota through the Camp Cambria Foundation since 2015. For more information and to see our generous donors, visit www.CampCambria.org #CampCambria
About Cambria
Cambria is the leading producer of American-made natural stone. As a stain-resistant, nonabsorbent natural stone surface, Cambria is strong, safe, maintenance free and easy to care for. Headquartered in Le Sueur, Minnesota, Cambria is sold through an exclusive network of premium, independent specialty retail and trade partners that can be identified at CambriaUSA.com. #MyCambria
Each individual who experiences True Friends has a story to share. From caregivers, to participants, to donors, and volunteers, True Friends provides a unique opportunity to experience life in a whole new way. In our bi-annual newsletter, Sharing Our Stories, we attempt to capture stories that make our participants unique, all while updating you on what is happening at True Friends.
Our Spring 2019 Sharing Our Stories newsletter has a new look and feel.
We hope you enjoy it!
To see the full issue click here.
Annandale, Minn. (Jan. 18, 2019) – True Friends recently received a $100,000 donation from the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation and Stearns Bank to benefit general operations at True Friends.
“This generous gift from the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation and Stearns Bank makes it possible to carry on our mission of high quality, personalized care to our clients,” said John LeBlanc, President & CEO of True Friends said. “I know our clients and board of directors are very thankful for this gift.”
Beyond keeping the lights on, general operations at True Friends supports program development and critical infrastructure initiatives to provide exceptional care for individuals participating in camp, respite, horse therapy and travel services.
“Stearns Bank has always been passionate about giving back to the community, even more so to those needing a helping hand,” Skalicky said. “The work of True Friends to enhance self-esteem and independence aligns well with our mission to help foster growth and success.”
While True Friends programs provide life-changing experiences for our participants, they also offer caregivers a moment of respite; a chance to rest and to relieve the stress that sometimes occurs while caring for individuals with special needs.
About the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation
Norman C. Skalicky is CEO and Chairman of Stearns Bank, N.A. The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation (NCSF) was formed in 2001 with the help of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. Since then, NCSF has initiated several fund-raising challenges and supported various community causes to benefit those in need. Recipients of this great community resource include Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Clubs, United Way, various food shelf organizations and several disaster relief efforts.
