Order of the Eastern Star donates $5K to Bryerswood Youth Camp
- Ron Giofu
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
The Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) received a sizable donation last week from a local service organization.
The Fort Malden 268 Order of the Eastern Star presented a $5,000 cheque to BYCOC president Kathi Poupard last Thursday afternoon. The BYCOC is the organization that oversees and runs the Bryerswood Youth Camp on Texas Road in Amherstburg.
The Order of the Eastern Star was represented by past Worthy Matron and Patrons Barb and Dave Cozens and Brenda and Paul Hooper.
Dave explained that as Worthy Matron and Patron, they are allowed to choose what charities and non-profit organizations to donate to.
“We picked Bryerswood,” he said.
A major fundraiser for the organization has been a chili cookoff, the most recent of which was held at Thistle Masonic Lodge on Murray St. last February. Two BYCOC board members – Ian Phillips and Ralph Poupard – served as judges at that event.
Brenda added there are “special circumstances” behind the sizable donation, noting their chapter is consolidating with another chapter in the area.
“We decided to give away a significant portion of our funds. We want to keep the money local,” she said.
“We felt all the money raised came from local people,” added Dave. “We want to keep it local. We want to support people who support us.”
Poupard said the campground operates throughout the year, including six weeks of summer camp, PA Day camps, a March Break camp, rentals to community groups, and other functions.
How to use the $5,000 will be a decision of the BYCOC board of directors, Poupard added. She said there could be a variety of uses for the money, from paying down their mortgage to maintenance of the campground or to put the money towards upgrades.
The BYCOC is trying to continue upgrades to its activity centre. A previous Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant helped pay for washroom and kitchen upgrades to the activity centre, but the rest of the building needs work from heating and cooling to insulation among the needs.
Poupard added Bryerswood is working on obtaining accreditation from the Ontario Campground Association. Their goal since acquiring the campground in 2021 and starting programming in 2022 is to teach children and youth leadership and life skills in a natural environment.
For more information on Bryerswood, please visit www.bryerswood.com.
Order of the Eastern Star donates $5K to Bryerswood Youth Camp
By Ron Giofu
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