This week he finished collecting five more bikes, to be used by campers and staff during the summer camps held annually at the Cape Breton facility.
This week he finished collecting five more bikes, to be used by campers and staff during the summer camps held annually at the Cape Breton facility.
MacKenzie started raising funds for bikes in 2015 in honour of Oaklee Bagley, a young boy who died in a house fire in Port Hawkesbury.
When they were operating the camp last summer, though, they found they were a few bikes short, because the campers needed a counsellor to accompany them on trips, so MacKenzie took on the task of getting these five more.
Thanks to the generosity of people and businesses in Pictou County he said he was quickly able to reach his goal and has the five bikes ready for transport.
MacKenzie had made of point of helping the camp out in various ways over the years. He’s fundraised to get guitars with new cases for the youth to learn to play and take home. He’s raised funds for bikes and sporting equipment as well as a $1,000 cash donation from a recording he had produced with the help of the late Doug Freeman. The recording included music by MacKenzie and Alan Bonvie.
MacKenzie said he always purchases the products for the camp locally in Pictou County and is thankful for how readily support has come in. He takes no credit for the success.
“I’m just glad I’m able to take part in it,” he said.
His next goal is to help the camp purchase an industrial laundry washer. The camp had let him know that their current washer is on its last legs. The washer will be used by both the burn camp as well as the Bible camp that operates at the same location other parts of the summer.
MacKenzie’s already started fundraising for that goal and has a washer set aside at JR Rahey’s Furniture and Appliances in New Glasgow. The washer costs about $1,500 and he has $940 left to raise. He said people can make a donation by going to JR Rahey’s directly and letting staff know they want to contribute. If they give MacKenzie their information, he will pass it along to the camp to make sure that they receive recognition for the donation and will have it noted if the donation is in honour of someone.
For more information on how to help or to make a donation call MacKenzie at (902) 752-0997.
The Atlantic Burn Camp Fast Facts
• Each year Atlantic Burn Camp accepts burn-injured children ages 6 to 17 from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Camp is staffed by firefighters, law enforcement, medical personnel, teachers and community volunteers.
• Between 20 and 30 youth attend each year.
• Thanks to community and corporate support in the Atlantic Provinces, the Atlantic Burn Camp is able to maintain a no per-family cost for all campers.
