Helen's BIG SWIM Page
Myself and my fellow camp nurse Katie (right) on 'swim dock' at Brigadoon last summer!
Hello! Welcome to my BIG SWIM fundraising page. I'm swimming across the Northumberland Strait from NB to PEI on July 27th in support of an amazing organization - Brigadoon Village - that gives extraordinary kids the chance to be ordinary.
For those of you that may or may not know, I had the privilege of working at Brigadoon last summer as one of their two full-time camp nurses. I got to witness the magic of camp firsthand, and it truly is magical. For many kids and youth this is their first time meeting someone with the same health condition or life challenge as them. Instead of feeling or being 'different' - as is often their reality - they feel understood. Included. Accepted. Ordinary.
Not only does a week of camp give these kids/youth a chance to experience summer camp like any other kid/youth at summer camp, but it gives them friendships and connections that last until the next summer (or usually a lot longer!), and the empowerment to participate and try activities in their communities after camp.
Camp is transformational, and something that no medicine or prescription can re-create.
With that being said, camp is unfortunately quite expensive. The cost for a camper to attend a week-long summer camp at Brigadoon is now $1,750 (to cover meals, accommodation, counsellors, medical staff etc.). This is obviously a huge cost for any family, but especially one experiencing the financial strain of raising a child with a health condition or life challenge. That's why my fundraising goal is $5,250 - I want to try and send three kids/youth to camp this year and I need your help! Together we can ensure more kids/youth get to experience the magic of camp and leave feeling stronger, more capable, and more confident than they did when they arrived.
Brigadoon has a 'Pay What You Can' model allowing all campers - no matter their financial situation - to experience camp, but this wouldn't be possible without the money raised through events like this one. I am not a professional swimmer, and yes, maybe swimming 12+ km in open water is a little crazy, but it's worth every minute to send more kids/youth to camp! Help me in supporting Brigadoon and make a lasting impact on the lives' of these children and youth! Every little bit counts and I appreciate all the help no matter how small or large! Thank you!
As an added challenge, I will jump in the Halifax Harbour on April 27th if I fundraise more than $1500 by then!
And if you've made it this far, thanks for taking the time and energy to read all of this. Camp means a lot to me (in case you couldn't tell) and I'm so grateful you've taken the time to read why and consider supporting me along the way!
Achievements
BIG Star Fish
Raised $750
I changed a child's life
Supported this event with a gift
Personal Progress:
of Goal
$1,000
Raised
$5,250.00
Fundraising Honour Roll
A
$30
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$50
Anonymous
$20
Corrah & Victor
$100
Dr. Don Flowers
$25
Helen Opitz
$50
Jocelyn Foran
$100
Nimmi and Abhi
$75
Silke und Uli
$300
Verena and Volker
$150
