Volunteers Shine in Arkansas

Norine Westerbeck, director of our NCBC camp at Yorktown Bay, works closely with a number of groups from the Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, area near the camp.

From the moment blind campers arrived at Camp Yorktown Bay, volunteers added a special and caring touch.

Volunteers came from the Hot Springs Village breakfast & evening Lions Clubs, Cabot Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, along with the Spring Riders Christian Motorcycle Club as well as ABATE (Arkansas Bikers Association Toward Education), Hot Springs Village Woodworkers, Hot Springs Village Anglers. Fountain Lake School District provided the bus and driver to shuttle campers to outside activities. Individuals from various church groups also helped in different areas. This brought the total volunteers to 87 in all.

When Hot Springs Village Anglers Club brought their fishing boats and equipment,  42 blind campers experienced the thrill of catching a fish. Ann , the top camper fisherwoman, caught 30 fish. Blind camper Thomas reeled in 33 wiggling fish. All together, the 42 campers pulled in (with help from the Anglers) 426 fish. Moments like this are priceless.

The Piece Makers from Cherokee Village, Arkansas – a Lutheran Ladies Auxiliary – made lap quilts for every camper. Thank you ladies for taking your time to create a treasured gift.

Photos of volunteers working with campers are available HERE.