Ravenwood raises scholarship funds
Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center is holding their fifth annual Vino fundraiser at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell on April 14. Gourmet food and desserts from regional restaurants will be paired with a wine tasting in an effort to create scholarships for youth campers in need of financial assistance.
“We’re going to be focusing this year on raising money for scholarships so we can continue our pledge to never turn anyone away based on financial need,” Ravenwood’s executive program director and co-founder, Brett Holmquist, said.
Proceeds from the event will support Ravenwood’s youth programs, scholarship fund, a collaborative project with The Lions Club of Kalispell, the Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Diabetes Care Center and Northwest Healthcare Foundation to provide a special nature camp for kids with Type I Diabetes.
According to Ravenwood board trustee Rachel Klempel, Ravenwood provides the only program in Montana for kids with diabetes. Diabetes camps are more expensive to run than regular summer camps due to medical needs and extra nursing staff. Ravenwood’s diabetes camp runs June 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children over the age of six and costs $275.
The camp serves about 400 kids and 100 adults each year. The biggest year for scholarship needs was 2010. Ravenwood offers several day and overnight summer camps for children ages four to 14 and hosts multiple school related events. The camp also plays hosts to numerous teacher, mentor, and parent workshops.
“A small percentage need scholarships, maybe 15 to 20 total families,” Holmquist said.
So far the camp has received a $5,000 grant from Pearl Jam band member Jeff Ament as part of their Vitalogy charity foundation.
Tamarack Brewing Company, Jay Flynn from D.A. Davidson, Flathead Living Magazine, Flathead Beacon, Hunter & Company. Interior Designs, Glacier Bank of Bigfork, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and First Interstate Bank also support Ravenwood youth programs and this event.
According to Holmquist, 150 guests attend Vino on average, making it their biggest fundraising event of the year. Guests bid on silent and live auction items such as vacation getaways, artwork and other donated items with all proceeds going to the camp.
Café Kandahar, Rising Sun Bistro, Blue Canyon, and The Raven will provide the food, and the A Cappella band “Off the Record” will provide musical entertainment for the evening.
“Grants and fundraising are really important to our organization because costs (for campers) only cover a third of our managing costs,” Klempel said. “In the last few years it’s been a hard time economically, and nonprofits are right there with them, but we’re doing pretty good.”
Tickets are $40 per person and $75 per couple and can be purchased at the door or online at www.ticketriver.com, keyword “Vino.” For more information about the auction, Ravenwood programs, or to make an online donation visit www.ravenwoodolc.org or call Klempel at 270-0041.