End of season update: Applicant increase from '07 to '08

The Sunshine Fund saw an increase of over 300 applicants this year as compared to 2007! As of today, we have sent 866 children to accredited camps across Manitoba. Tons of applications were received in June and early July this year- please remember that applications can be sent months earlier, even in the spring, in order to have a better chance at a spot in your child's #1 camp choice.

As all of these children return to school, they will carry special memories, friendships, and skills from camp that will last long after the summer is over. THANK YOU to all the donors who have made this possible!!

Summer 2008

A successful Sunshine Day with A&W kicked of the 2008 season to a great start!!

Our office is currently overflowing with applicants, donations and folks dropping in. But there is still room for more!! It's not too late to get your Sunshine Fund application or donation in. Either way, you will be helping a child have a memorable summer in 2008.

As of July 9th, we have successfully placed 612 kids in accredited camps across Manitoba, with 139 applications to be processed. That's a total of 796 applications received this year!



Don't forget to check out the Winnipeg Free Press every Saturday for updates on these numbers!!

May 21, 2008 is Sunshine Day

On May 21, 2008, the Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund, in partnership with A&W, will have it’s very first Sunshine Day in Manitoba. All the proceeds from the sale of A&W Root Beer and Coffee will be donated to the Sunshine Fund to help send Manitoba Children to Manitoba Accredited Camps.

In addition, you can also help send a child to camp by purchasing a Ray of Sunshine from A&W Restaurants for only $1 between May 12-21. Fill your name out on a Yellow Sun and help send a child to camp. This sun will be added to the walls of the Restaurant.

This will be happening at all A&W locations in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Lockport, Portage & Steinbach.

PS - Did you know that Manitoba is the only province in the country to have a "Sunshine Fund?" Founded in 1979 and thanks to the generous donations of Manitobans the fund has raised nearly $4.0 million dollars and sent more than 18,000 kids to camp.

"Sunshine" Day - May 21, 2008

The Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund is pleased to announce that with the support of A&W Restaurants, May 21, 2008 will be "Sunshine" Day in Manitoba.

The proceeds from the sale of all A&W Rootbeer & Coffee at all Winnipeg locations and select rural locations, will be donated to the Sunshine Fund to help send Manitoba Children from financially challenged families to an accredited Manitoba Summer Camp.

CJOB will be broadcasting Live-On location from the Pembina Highway & Bishop Grandin A&W location that day.

Support the Sunshine Fund with the purchase of a rootbeer or coffee on May 21, 2008!

Camp Caravan - Garden City this week-end

Come on out to Garden City Shopping Center this weekend (March 8th and 9th) for the Manitoba Camping Association Camp Caravan. Learn more about your favourite camps and new ones!

Manitoba Camping Association Directory and Sunshine Fund Applications will be available as well as information from many Manitoba camps.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Website updated for 2008

*The MCA & Sunshine Fund site has been updated.

*2008 Sunshine Fund Application is now available.

Come visit the site and see our fresh new look and what the lastest details are on camps this summer.

2008 Sunshine Fund Applications Soon Ready

A new year is upon us and even so it is just about -30c as I write this our minds are on summer camp! The 2008 Sunshine Fund Application will be ready for mail out, pick up from our office or printing from our website very soon. You are welcome to call the office at (204) 784-1130 to have your name put on the mailing list in order to receive an application as soon as they are ready.

-Sunshine Fund Program Coordinator

Sunshine Fund Goal to Send 1000 Children to Camp in 2008

The Sunshine Fund will embark on an increased Marketing & Recruitment effort with the hopes of sending 1000 children to an Accredited Manitoba summer camp in 2008.

Eligibility requirements will still be based on Total Gross Family Income Levels in relation to Family Size. Family applicants in previous years were required to make a Parent Contribution of approximately 25% of the support amount provided by the Sunshine Fund in relation to the camp fee.

With a new funding model in place, Parents will be able to Send Their Child to a Camp of Their Choice for as Little as $25*.

More Information regarding the Funding/Parent Contribution Model & 2008 Application Forms will be available for distribution and download on the MCA web-site next week.

Sunshine Fund 2008

The start of the New Year marks the beginning of the 29th season of the Sunshine Fund.

Please keep posted to this site for regular updates throughout the season.

Sunshine Fund Applications will be available within the next couple of weeks.