Orange City, Iowa — The attendance was less than 100 people. But the donations topped $28,000 at a recent fundraiser in Orange City for Camp Autumn.
When you do the math, that’s over $300 per attendee. Autumn’s Center officials tell us that 93 community members came together to raise the money at a dessert auction to support northwest Iowa children. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children ages 4-21 located near Sutherland. They tell us the funds will specifically be used to help build a therapeutic art building at the camp. Camp Autumn, which opened in June 2017, provides what officials call “a unique blend of therapy, skill development, and fun for those who have experienced trauma, abuse, loss, grief, parental substance abuse, divorce of parents, family violence, or those who have developmental conditions.” Both Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn were named in honor and memory of Autumn Elgersma of Orange City who died on October 31, 2013, after being hospitalized due to the abuse she endured while in the care of her babysitter.
CEO/President of Seasons, Kim Scorza, says that they were very blessed to be able to come together again this year and celebrate Autumn’s life and all the children they serve at their agency and specifically at Camp Autumn. She says that without the support of the community it would be very difficult to care for children with behavioral health needs. Scorza says, “We can’t thank our supporters enough for all their support through the donation of their time, talent, and treasures.”
Inside Prairie Winds Event Center in Orange City, nine tables of business owners, community supporters, and agency partners bid on locally-made desserts, with sales reaching as high as $2,750 for a beautifully-decorated cake titled “Chocolate Lovers Delight” made and donated by Sara Crane Cakes of Orange City. The auction was led by auctioneer Don Krommendyk of Hull.
They tell us the desserts were donated by: Susie Hofman of Orange City; the Sugar Shack Bakery of Sioux City; Sara Crane Cakes of Orange City; Renee Rhamy of Alton; Blue Mountain Catering Company of Orange City; the Olive Garden of Sioux City; Sarah Weber of Orange City; Kim and Phil Scorza of Orange City; and Pat Buyert of Sioux Center.
The event was supported by local businesses through sponsorships. Sponsors included: Northwest Bank, Iowa State Bank, Orange City Area Health System, Primebank, Schelling Construction, Sioux Center Health, and Spencer Hospital.
Seasons Center will continue the annual fundraiser next year, with a date set for Saturday, October 26, 2019.
For more information on Seasons’ services, you can visit www.seasonscenter.org and Facebook page www.facebook.com/SeasonsCenterForBehavioral.Health
