Rapid River Lions’ benefit a roaring success

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RAPID RIVER - The Rapid River Lions Club hosted its annual Bay Cliff Health Camp fund-raising event Jan. 8 at the Rapid River Lions Club. With attendance in excess of 200 people and proceeds totaling $7,224, the event, like the camp itself, truly was a place "where dreams come true."

More than 180 children with disabilities attend Bay Cliff Health Camp each summer. In response to the need for funding, the Rapid River Lions Club hosts the fund-raiser each year, which includes a social hour, dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles and a program. All proceeds benefit Bay Cliff.

Four Bay Cliff campers were on hand to further illuminate the event, which was already veritably aglow with the pride of volunteers, the goodness of donors and auction bidders, and the bright smiles of camp staff and event organizers.

Bay Cliff Health Camp Director Tim Bennett, asked what the best part of the evening was, said, "For me it's being a part of this community and being a part of the genuineness - salt of the earth people, and my best friends."

Bay Cliff Therapy Coordinator Christy Osborn said of the event, "This is my first time here, and it's very impressive, but the best part is seeing the campers and getting to catch up with Lydia (Person) and Gene (Fletcher), and all the rest (of the Bay Cliff campers).

Aside from the obvious social bonuses of the event for both campers and donors, Lions and camp staff sought to further illustrate the many components of the facility.

"Our goal is to let everyone in the U.P. who's eligible to go to camp know about it, and about the opportunities available for attending," said Osborn. "We're the only camp in the country to do this," she added, explaining that the summer portion of camp lasts seven weeks, so she wants every child to know about it.

This is Osborn's 12th summer upcoming, and her fifth full-time staff, year round. She said it's great to have a winterized facility now, where the staff can do so many things with the campers.

The first weekend in March, the campers return to Bay Cliff for "Snow Days."

Said Osborn, "We reconnect with friends, go dog sledding and ice fishing, make 'snowcream' and all sorts of winter things. It's great to have a winterized facility where we can do those things."

Winterization of the facility is still in progress, and is estimated to be half completed. The more it grows, however, the more is yet to be done, according to Osborn. And the more there is to do there, the more time campers want to spend there.

"I've been going to camp since I was 3," said camper Lydia Person, who said the best thing about camp is being with her friends. "I like being in physical therapy, too," she said.

In response, Osborn said, "We try to make it as fun as possible." "Everything at Bay Cliff is fun," added Bennett, "and everything is therapy."

Attending the event were Escanaba residents Jim and Alice Hansen, whose daughter, Jenny, was a Bay Cliff camper for six years. Now well into adulthood, she lives on her own and works at Lakestate. The couple credits her time at camp for much of her self-esteem, goal-setting and personal growth.

"She's very independent," said Alice, recalling how hard it is to leave a child at summer camp, "but by the following year, they can't wait to go back."

The positive attitude and generous spirit in the Lions facility Jan. 8 was overwhelming, as was the gratitude expressed by both those Lions who assisted in planning the event and the recipients of the public's benevolence.

Rapid River Lions Club Event Chairman Ralph Lundquist said the highlight of the evening was past camper Nap Sharkey of Perkins, who attended Bay Cliff back in 1939.

Other highlights included attendance by representative of several other organizations and individuals who donated to Bay Cliff as well, in the amount of $1,325.

"What a night," said Lundquist, pleased with the turnout and the success of the event. Very few people put the whole evening together, yet so many people make it all worthwhile, he explained. "As long as the Bay Cliff campers need us," he said with a smile, "we'll be here for them."

Bennett, reflecting on the success of the evening, said, "God bless the Lions."