2013 Christmas Telethon Preparations are in Full Swing!

2013 Christmas Telethon Preparations are In Full Swing!

            Local businesses, Wisconsin Badger Camp, and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville community are coming together as preparations get underway for the 2013 UW-Platteville Christmas Telethon in support of Wisconsin Badger Camp. The theme of the 40^th annual Christmas Telethon is “A Night to Remember” and will showcase what makes summer camp unique and how it helps individuals from the tri-state area, specifically Southwest Wisconsin. This is made possible because of the Telethon and the support of our community. Tune in Saturday, December 7th to your local cable access station or stream the telethon on the internet at www.BadgerCamp.org from noon to 10 p.m.

            Wisconsin Badger Camp is a non-profit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities by providing quality outdoor recreational experiences. During the 2013 camping season, Badger Camp served approximately 900 individuals from over 54 counties in Wisconsin and five other states. The cost for an individual to attend camp for one week is approximately $900.  The requested camp fee is only $700.  However, many of the campers are on a fixed or limited income, and may not be able to afford the camp fee.

            “Wisconsin Badger Camp has never turned a camper away due to their financial situation,” Brent Bowers, Executive Director of Wisconsin Badger Camp said. “Campers are able to request financial assistance through our Campership Program. Last year the Christmas Telethon raised over $62,000 for the Campership Program, which allows campers to attend camp who might not have been able to otherwise,” Bowers said.

            Many area businesses and organizations from the community also help out with the Christmas Telethon. Local businesses donate auction items or goods which substantially contribute to the overall success of the event. Civic organizations throughout Southwest Wisconsin contribute time and money annually to Wisconsin Badger Camp for the Christmas Telethon as well. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute an item to the live auction portion of the Christmas Telethon, please contact the Wisconsin Badger Camp office as soon as possible so that we may arrange for the item to be picked up or delivered.

            “The Christmas Telethon is truly a community event, it is rewarding to see everyone coming together to help a great cause” Wisconsin Badger Camp, Camp Director, Melissa David, said. “On behalf of the Wisconsin Badger Camp Board of Directors, the staff, and most importantly the campers, we would like to thank all of the businesses, organizations, and the volunteers who have worked so hard to help make the Telethon a success for 40 years,” David said. “Thank you for your continued support, donations, time, and effort.”

            Come watch this production as an audience member live from the TV studio located in the basement of Pioneer Tower on the UW-Platteville campus on Saturday, December 7th from noon -10 p.m. If you can’t come watch it live, do not forget to tune in to your local cable access channel or stream it on the internet at www.BadgerCamp.org.

            Anyone interested in helping with the Telethon or in donating an auction item please call Wisconsin Badger Camp at 608-348-9689 or send your donation to: P.O. Box 723, Platteville, WI 53818.