GLADWIN
E arlier this year, Golden Key Camp purchased the 55-acre Good News Campground in Gladwin and is developing the property into a year-round camp for those who are terminally ill and their families.
Although Golden Key Camp is new to the Gladwin community, they have operated for years in efforts to help the terminally ill. They now look to bring some of their traditions to this community.
Each Christmas, Golden Key Camp organizes a toy drive for a local hospital. However, now that the organization has purchased a camp, they have decided to change up their traditions a bit. Instead of toys, Golden Key Camp now looks to raise money for “camp kits.” The group has a goal to send out 100 of these camp kits by Christmas to children who have been diagnosed with a cancer, or other terminal illnesses.
According to Lisa Keck-Kujawa, Director of the Golden Key Camp, the camp kits will grant each child a VIP membership to the Golden Key Club.
“This is very special membership which will include all sorts of camping items they can use at home or at the camp,” Keck-Kujawa said.
The items included with the membership are: a VIP membership ID card, a hat, a camp mug, binoculars, a Golden Key camp shirt, a camping duffle bag, flashlight, camping blanket, magic Santa key and personalized letter from Santa, 12 craft kits, lanyards, greeting cards to color, a certificate for framing honoring that child as a VIP member of Golden Key camp, and a welcome letter inviting the child and their family to the camp for a day visit or even a full week, at no cost.
“Kids who have a terminal or life threatening illness often miss out on social activity, miss out on so much in life and feel like they don’t belong, but with the Golden Key Camp Club kit, they will be part of the Camp Club,” Keck-Kujawa said. “Sadly, its a club no one would ever want to join, because we all want children to be healthy. But the truth is there are thousands of kids diagnosed each month with very horrific sickness.”
Donations for the camp kits can be made in a variety of ways. Online, donors may visit https://buy.stripe. com/00geXx0fObwH9e8bII. Those with mobile apps can search @goldenkeypark in Venmo or $goldenkeypark in Cash App. Donations may also be mailed to Golden Key Charity 3613 M-30, Gladwin, MI 48624.
The original goal of Golden Key Charity had been to open a year round camp and park for families to visit a day or a week for a true awesome camp experience, never a cost for the families they welcome. Now that the group has successfully purchased a camp, they are thrilled to welcome families for a yearround camping retreat.