Camp Valaqua received great news recently. As of Aug. 26, its annual hike-a-thon raised a record amount of $34,456, nearly double the previous record of $18,000.
Ron Janzen, who is often the biggest fundraiser, beat his own record, raising more than $10,000 this year.
Why was so much raised in 2020?
Jon Olfert, Valaqua’s camp director, has an idea. “I think it has to do with us being shut down, and our supporters being worried about us,” he says. “It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest. The nature of the event also created flexibility in terms of timeline, so that may have helped as well. I think we’ll maintain some sort of remote option in the future!”
Twenty-two hikers participated from Mennonite churches across Alberta this year.
Do you have a story idea about Mennonites in Alberta? Send it to Joanne De Jong at ab@canadianmennonite.org.
Related story:
Valaqua: A place where people express God’s love
Carol McNaughton hikes the Wasootch Ridge as a participant in the 2020 Camp Valaqua hike-a-thon fundraiser. (Photo by Hossein Talebi)
Lethbridge Mennonite Church and Springridge Mennonite Church in Pincher Creek, Alta., join forces to raise money for this year’s Camp Valaqua hike-a-thon. (Photo by Elaine Klassen)
Lorne Earl of Holyrood Mennonite Church, Edmonton, hikes along the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, in support of the 2020 annual Camp Valaqua hike-a-thon fundraiser. (Photo by Patrick Earl)
Scott and Corinne Martens participate together in this year’s Camp Valaqua hike-a-thon fundraiser. (Photo by Corinne Martens)
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