Annual Charity Drive 2007
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Summer at Sunsetview Farm Camping Area in Monson Massachusetts means fun, relaxing, and spending time with friends and family. But to a very generous group of campers here at Sunsetview, it also means taking the time to extend a helping hand in the time of human need. Every summer a charity drive is held throughout the camping season to benefit the local chapter of The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. Their mission is to provide housing for families with a child being treated in a local medical facility.

Guided by Ron and Irene Plante from West Springfield, these hardworking campers set out doing various activities and fundraisers to raise money throughout the camping season. They started with a 50/50 Raffle in the beginning of the season which continued every week until Labor Day. On the 4^th of July Weekend, an Auction of various items donated by campers and other individuals was held. A raffle at our annual car show, donations at semi weekly dart tournaments, and a bingo and pokeno marathon all contributed to the cause. They also got the next generation involved with a spaghetti supper hosted, cooked and served by some of the kids at the campground. The big finish to the season was a Chinese Raffle held on Labor Day Weekend. Donated items from individuals and many local businesses were raffled off.

The total amount raised was $8,600.00. We then had an anonymous donation from one of our camping families because they were so inspired by Ron and all of his efforts. Ron, Irene and the crew presented a check in the amount of $9,000.00 to Jennifer Putnam, Director/House Manager of The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at Sunsetview Farm Camping Area This is a record setting effort!

All of us at Sunsetview Farm Camping Area, the owners, the entire campground staff, Ron and Rene Plante, and all of their crew wish to thank all of those individuals who helped, donated, and participated in all the fundraising activities throughout the summer. We also want to thank all of the area business's who donated to our raffle.  We could not be prouder of our campers and our community for reaching out and helping us not only meet our fundraising goal, but to exceed it.

Here are the totals from the various events!

Cash Donations	$59.50
Dart Donation	$209.00
Bingo and Pokeno Marathon	$250.00
Car Show Raffle	$268.00
Spagetti Supper	$650.00
Barrel Of Cheer	$820.00
50/50 Raffle	$1,207.50
Auction	$1,405.00
Chinese Raffle	$3,731.00
Anonymous Donation	$400.00
Total Donation To The Ronald McDonald House Charities	$9,000.00

Our Fearless Leader-Ron Plante!

A message to our Camping Family

From Ron & Reen Plante:

It's a long road from May to Labor Day, the culmination of which is our annual Labor Day Raffle for the Ronald McDonald House.

This year has been a special and memorable one for the both of us. We have had the honor of meeting our new seasonal campers and the pleasure of the strengthening ties with old friends.

This year through your efforts and the generosity of our camping family, we raised a record $8,600.00!  And thanks to an anonymous donor, we were able to donate $9,000.00 to The House That Love Built. We cannot begin to express our heartfelt thanks to ALL who served on all our committees; Bingo, 50/50 Raffle, Auction, Dart's, Car Show, Spaghetti Supper, and Chinese Raffle.  We are so grateful to those of you who donated items for the auction and the Chinese Raffle, and those who purchased tickets. A special thank you goes out to the children who presented a fabulous supper, and to the staff for all their support.  To all of you, we consider you our heroes.  We thank you all so, so much.  Have a great winter and we hope to see you all again in the spring.

With all our respect, Ron and Reen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Every August our staff and campers here at Sunsetview put on an annual Halloween in August complete with trick or treating and a spook ride. This year our charity is The Multiple Sclerosis Society/Central New England Chapter Challenge Walk. It is a cause that is very important to us; as our own DJ Bonnie Glanville is afflicted with this debilitating disease.

Robin and Bonnie will participate in this years 50 mile walk supported by the monies raised with our spook ride.The ride is designed, built, and run completely by all of our volunteers.

The Carpenter families and Sunsetview Staff would like to extend their thanks to everyone who donated their time and efforts to make our Annual "Spook Ride" such a success.  Through all of your hard work and the support of our campers, we will be able to donate an amazing total of $1,200.00 to The Multiple Sclerosis Society/Central New England Chapter Challenge Walk.This was a fundraising record for our spook ride, and by the review of our campers, one of the best rides!

From The Carpenter families, the entire campground staff, and from Bonnie, we thank all of you who were involved with this great event! We hope we didn't scare you too badly! See you next August, if you dare.