By Rhonda Massad
www.thesuburban.com
Lightning struck Trails of Summer Camp for Autistic Children a second time last week—in a good way. Mcdonald’s selected them to receive proceeds from McHappy Day again this year.
Supporters packed the camp’s annual spaghetti dinner-bingo fundraiser again this year at the Karnak temple, on Sources Boulevard, May 3.
Volunteers were also plentiful to get the spaghetti to the tables, sell raffle tickets, serve drinks and hand out bingo cards. Sponsors such as Madisons, del Friscos and Rockaberries donated food and beverage, while many supporters donated items for the raffle table.
Lynne Pronman, founder of the Trails of Summer Camp, gave a heartfelt speech and had the audience in tears when she announced that once again this year she was lucky enough to be receiving the proceeds that six local McDonalds restaurants will collect this year on McHappy Day, May 7.
“I feel like I have been struck by lightning twice in my life,” Pronman said with tears in her eyes. “Once last year when we were chosen to receive the donation and now again this year. So go and eat at McDonald’s on McHappy Day.”
Trails of Summer is a non-profit day camp for children with special needs to learn new skills, make friends and build self esteem. The children get to choose their favorite activities based on what they enjoy.
“Our camp has a one-to-one camper-to-counsellor ratio,” Pronman explained. “That is costly. Our counsellors are highly qualified to address each camper’s specific needs.”
“In a world where these kids are asked to conform each and every day, they get to come to Trails of Summer and be themselves,” she told The Suburban. “They know they are in an environment where they are not going to be judged.”
