This Monday night, the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison held a Celebration of Service Dinner featured special honors for the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, which received a $2,500 Robert and Carroll Heideman Community Service Grant. This Heideman Community Service Grant in support of our Campfire Fund program, which provides summer camp scholarship for homeless and economically disadvantaged children in the Madison area, ensures that the chance to engage in nature programs and healthy outdoor activities is available for those children who need it most. Our Campfire Fund has allowed underprivileged children to participate in ALNC’s summer camp programs now for 2 summers in a row, and we are so thankful for the support to continue this work.
ALNC received a letter from a 9-year old Campfire Fund applicant this spring explaining why he wanted to attend camp; he said, “I have never gone to camp before but I think it would be fun to explore nature, meet new friends, and have fun playing games. I think it is amazing how a tree can grow from just a seed, dirt, sunshine, and water. I would like to learn more about that.” That young man was able to attend camp at the Nature Center this summer – he explored, met new friends, had fun playing games, and got to experience the incredible and inspiring natural world in a safe and supportive environment. Because of the support from the Kiwanis Club and our community, we can continue to provide these experiences.
