Masons of Ontario Donate over $44K to Camp Trillium

Camp Trillium - Childhood Cancer Support Center

At a presentation Ceremony held at Camp Trillium, Rainbow Lake (Waterford, Ontario), on Dec 10 2013, Past Grand Master, M. W. Bro. D. Garry Dowling presented a cheque to Camp Trillium on behalf of the Masons of Ontario, in the amount of $44,531.88.

M. W. Bro. Dowling selected Camp Trillium to be the recipient of the Grand Master’s Project during his term as Grand Master July 2011 to July 2013. During that time, Brethren from across the Province made donations to the project, via the Masonic Foundation of Ontario, on behalf M.W. Bro. Dowling and his Lady Wendy. Donations came from individual Masons, Lodges, and Districts in Ontario.

Photo (left to right): V.W. Bro. Wayne Barker, R.W. Bro. Ray Charles, Marci Shea-Perry, R.W. Bro. A Doug Nichols, M.W. Bro. Garry Dowling.

M.W. Bro. Dowling, accompanied by R.W. Bro. A. Douglas Nichols, President of the Masonic Foundation of Ontario, made the presentation on a beautiful sunny afternoon, at the Rainbow Lake Camp facility, to Marci Shea-Perry, Executive Director of Camp Trillium. Marci has been involved with Camp Trillium for approximately 25 years.
Accompanying M.W. Bro. Dowling and Wendy were R.W. Bro. Raymond Charles, Lady Margaret and V.W. Bro. Wayne Barker and Lady Jill. Both had served as Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies during M.W. Bro. Dowling’s term. After the ceremony, Marci led the group on a tour of the Camp’s facilities.

Marci was ecstatic about the amount donated, as she had no idea of what to expect.
She explained that it is always a challenge for Camp Trillium to raise the funds necessary to send children living with cancer to camp and to maintain the sites. Regrettably, the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, one of our largest and consistent donors for many years, had to withdraw its support several years ago to devote its own funds to research activities. Camp Trillium’s focus is making sure that children living through cancer and their families have a special place to develop friendships, strengthen family bonds, have fun and challenge themselves to learn new skills. Camp Trillium receives no government funding. The bulk of the monies come through service clubs, special events and generous individuals. This contribution by the Masons of Ontario will make a difference!

Past Grand Master Dowling expressed his sincere gratitude to all the Masons of Ontario for their generous contributions over the two years. M.W. Bro. Dowling also paid tribute to those involved in the Masonic Foundation of Ontario for their role in administering the funds throughout the project.

More About Camp Trillium:
Camp Trillium’s Vision:
Camp Trillium (officially The Trillium Childhood Cancer Support Centre) offers year-round recreational experiences to bring children with cancer and their families together. It works to provide an environment that normalizes relationships and experiences, helping them in the healing process and enhancing their quality of life.

Camp Trillium is a place where children afflicted with cancer can enjoy what many take for granted … fun, friendships, and a respite from hospitals and treatment, but most importantly the chance to be normal. The chance to be recognized for skills in sailing, canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, skating, cross-country skiing, drama, rather than the disease that inhabits their body.

Camp Trillium is a leader in oncology camping programs. Year round in the province of Ontario 56 programs are provided for children living with cancer and their families and in 2010, over 3,100 campers participated in residential and family camps as well as 8 week Day Camps held across the province. Camp Trillium operates two camp sites, one on an island (OuR Island) near Kingston and the other at Rainbow Lake near Waterford.

Camp Trillium receives no government funding and the bulk of the monies come through private donations from service clubs, special events and generous individuals.

Camp Trillium has benefitted in the past from many hours of volunteer Masonic labour at its Rainbow Lake site. Local area Masons contributed volunteer hours to help build the Nature Centre and the kitchen addition. They have been thrilled with this past support from the local Masons and were delighted with the commitment to continue to support Camp Trillium through this project.

To see more about the wonderful resources at Camp Trillium, visit the Camp website located at: http://camptrillium.com/

More About the Masonic Foundation of Ontario:
To learn more about the Masonic Foundation of Ontario, please visit the website at:
http://www.masonicfoundation.on.ca/

Article Submitted by:
M.W. Bro. D. Garry Dowling
Grand Master 2011-2013