An annual Labor Day weekend fundraiser is held at Wakonda to raise money for community charities. We have been doing this for 30 years. Funds are raised through different types of auctions and cash donations. Wakonda Shareholders and local businesses donate items to be auctioned off with all the proceeds going directly to charities each year.
The longest running charity we have supported is the Wakonda-VanDoren Memorial Endowment. The life of Anita VanDoren, a friend of many Wakonda campers and a valued staff member, was taken abruptly in a tragic plane accident March 9, 1996, off the coast of Florida. Anita had spent several summers working at the Wakonda Family Campground. As a tribute to Anita, members of the Wakonda family established a scholarship fund 30 years ago in her memory with annual awards being granted to graduating North Warren High School Seniors who are seeking a higher education. Through Wakonda fundraising efforts, supported by local businesses and Wakonda Shareholders, these annual scholarship awards continue to help local seniors in the community.
More recently, shareholders expressed an interest in supporting our local ambulance squad. With the money raised, we made a donation to the Non-Profit North Warren Emergency Squad. They are a local rescue squad who provide assistance to our shareholders when emergency situations arise. We appreciate their high level of care, professional manner, and timely response here at Wakonda Family Campground. We will continue to support them annually.
We greatly thank the continued support of so many local businesses who provide us with products, services, or gift certificates for our annual fundraising auction. As patrons of all these amazing businesses, we LOVE the variety of options we have for dining, shopping, and entertainment here in the Schroon Lake Region.
<List of Local Businesses that Donate>