STRAWBERRY POINT, IA – Ewalu Camp & Retreat Center is participating in the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s Great Give Day on Wednesday, May 17, to raise funds for its Cedar Lodge renovation project.
Great Give Day is a 24-hour, online giving day established by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to celebrate and support area nonprofits and build a stronger community. Since 2014, Great Give Day has raised over $2.7 million for local nonprofits in seven counties in Eastern Iowa.
This year, donations to Ewalu through the website GreatGiveDay.org/CampEwalu on May 17 will go toward making necessary renovations to Cedar Lodge, a 60-year-old building that has long served as the hub of activity at camp. Members of Camp Ewalu’s Board of Directors have pledged an additional $6,500 in challenges if 100 or more donors raise $10,000 during the 24-hour giving period. Donors who make a gift of any amount over $10 at the special website will also help the camp earn bonus dollars for the camp’s endowment from the Clayton County Foundation for the Future. Donors can schedule gifts in advance beginning May 15 at the special link as well.
“What an amazing time for Ewalu! These much-needed updates to Cedar Lodge will help us live more fully into our mission to connect the Word of God with the world of God,” said Ewalu Executive Director Frank Johnson. “Save the date of May 17 and help us renovate this important building that will serve camp for generations to come!”
Since it was built in the early 1960s, Cedar Lodge has served as the center of activity at Ewalu’s main site, welcoming generations of campers and visitors for meals, lodging, activities and rest. But time has taken a toll, and the building needs major renovations to ensure that that every guest, camper, and staff member feels welcome and cared for, for generations to come.
The multi-year “Cedar at 60” project aims to raise $2 million, with nearly $900,000 already pledged, to make these renovations at Cedar Lodge:
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ADA-accessible restrooms on the main floor.
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Remodeling and expanding the kitchen for higher food production capacity and to better serve guests with food restrictions and allergies.
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A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system designed to address moisture issues in the lower level.
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Increased energy efficiency and reduced costs for appliances and HVAC system.
Camp Ewalu will also have a booth on May 17 at “Great Give Day LIVE!” in downtown Dubuque. The in-person celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with food trucks, music and information booths from participating non-profits. All are welcome to attend in Dubuque’s Washington Park, and an attendee will win a drawing to award a prize to the participating nonprofit of their choice.
On Great Give Day, hourly prizes funded by local sponsors will fuel excitement and friendly competition. Anyone can view the prize schedule at GreatGiveDay.org to see when their donation will make the most impact on their favorite nonprofits. For prize updates, follow the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque on Facebook and Twitter.
Camp Ewalu participated for the first time last year in the Great Give Day, raising nearly $8,000 with 83 donors in 24 hours to help fund a new bridge needed at the camp. The nonprofit Christian ministry also earned a $500 bonus during the event from the Clayton County Foundation for the Future as the “new participant with the most donors.”
ABOUT EWALU: Camp Ewalu is a year-round ministry that serves over 200 Lutheran congregations in Eastern Iowa with nearly 1,000 youth participating in its summer programs and nearly 1,000 more through Day Camp evangelism programs. The camp also serves 1,500 environmental education students and nearly 6,500 additional youth and adults who come to renew and grow in their faith.
The camp’s mission is to serve all people as a place to connect the Word of God with the world of God, with its main site and office located just west of Strawberry Point and the Stone Center retreat space just north of Strawberry Point.
