North Shore residents have three upcoming opportunities to support an organization working to ensure all children, no matter what medical challenges they may be facing, have the opportunity to go to summer camp.
Those involved with the Mel Jr. Marty Zajac Foundation have organized three fundraisers in the next month, all of which are benefitting its Zajac Ranch for Children.
The foundation was launched in 1987 following the deaths of Vancouver resident Mel Zajac's two sons in separate sporting accidents, eight months apart, in 1986 and 1987.
"My dad and my (late mother) had this vision to create a foundation that would go on in perpetuity in memory of them and create a legacy that will continue to serve the community," says daughter Carmen, president of both the Mel Jr. Marty Zajac Foundation and Zajac Ranch for Children.
The foundation has supported a variety of initiatives over the years and the current focus is its Zajac Ranch for Children, a 41-acre, western-themed camp that opened its doors in 2004. The ranch, located in Mission on Stave Lake, is dedicated to giving children and young adults with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating conditions the opportunity to experience summer camp.
"This is something that's really important for this community. There are other camps for sick kids, but they're very specific to one disease, whereas we're very inclusive. Any child with a medical condition can come to camp. The idea is to get as many kids there as possible," says Carmen, a North Vancouver resident.
In its first year, the camp program served 50 kids and this year 500 are expected to attend from across the country. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2015 season, 10 weeks in duration and kicking off June 29.
The Zajac Ranch for Children offers specialized programming, accessible facilities and an around-theclock, on-site medical centre, run by volunteer medical professionals. Doctors and nurses interested in lending a hand for the upcoming summer season are encouraged to apply, as well as community members at large to volunteer in other capacities.
Carmen says many campers describe their experience at Zajac Ranch as life-changing. "We get stories where kids for the first time feel normal and they're not feeling like they've got something going on that nobody else has and nobody gets. They come to camp, they make friends with other children with other medical conditions or maybe similar conditions to them," she says.
"At Zajac Ranch they can just feel at home. It's really transforming for the families and the children themselves," she adds.
For many campers it's the first time they've been able to participate in certain recreational activities, things other kids can take for granted, like getting into a kayak or on a horse.
"Kids that are ablebodied and healthy have no issues with that but if you've got a medical condition, there are some challenges there," she says.
All the campers are encouraged to try new things in a safe and supportive environment.
"That increases independence, it increases their self-confidence, it increases their selfesteem. We hope those characteristics and those attributes that they get from camp, carry them on into their adult lives," says Carmen.
The cost to cover each camper for a week is approximately $1,500. In most cases, children attend for free, made possible by the foundation, and as a result of partnerships with other health organizations that provide funding.
The first of the three upcoming foundation fundraisers is the 2015 Zajac Nights Fundraising Gala, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Vancouver's Terminal City Club. The third annual event is led by the foundation's Zajac Young Professionals, an under-40 group working within the organization out of an interest in making an impact in the community and getting involved with philanthropy. This year's theme is A Year In A Night and each of the venue's rooms will be dedicated to a holiday of sorts, including New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day.
The evening will also see the Raising the Bar Award given out, intended to honour a member of the local business community who exemplifies leadership, business savvy and a strong social conscience. This year's honouree is family physician Dr. Mel Bruchet, who has been practising on the North Shore since 1967.
"We're hoping that a lot of people that know him.. . come and honour him," says Carmen.
Bruchet has long been a supporter and volunteer with the organization and currently serves on the Zajac foundation's board of directors. "If we have issues that we need to talk about in terms of the children, he's a great resource for that. And he connects with the community to try and get us some volunteer doctors and nurses as well," she says.
Gala tickets are $200 and festivities will include themed food, live music, deejays and entertainment.
The second upcoming foundation fundraiser is the 51st Annual Zajac Golf Classic, June 17 at Richmond Country Club. The long-running tournament has raised more than $2 million for local charities. Registration is $325 per golfer.
And, for the first year, the organization is participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k on June 28. Interested community members of all fitness levels and abilities are encouraged to join #TeamZajacRanch, currently comprised of staff, board members, camper families, individuals, corporate teams, volunteers and donors. "We're really excited, we have over 100 people on our team," says Carmen.
An additional ongoing source of revenue for the foundation and camp program is the rental of the ranch for events, like weddings, corporate retreats or school trips, during the off-season.
