Volunteer To Help A Child At Mda Camp

Experience what may be the volunteer opportunity of a lifetime: a camp counselor this summer at a Muscular Dystrophy Association camp, serving youngsters with neuromuscular diseases.

Unforgettable and life-changing are what many former MDA counselors call their camp experiences. They make it possible for kids to experience things at camp they couldn’t attempt at home.

MDA is seeking applications from volunteers to serve for one week of camp, July 5-12, at Camp Larson on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and July 19-26 at Camp Waskowitz in North Bend, Wash. Volunteers must be at least 16 and able to lift a child.

“Camp is the highlight of the summer for the campers and many volunteers,” says Rosemary Owens, MDA coordinator for Camp Waskowitz. “It is one week of the year when youngsters with muscle-wasting disorders are fully able to participate in a wide range of group outdoor activities that are tailored for their limited ability.”

Each volunteer counselor is paired with a camper who may be a child or teenager. With the counselors’ help, campers can participate in arts, crafts, sports, recreation and nature activities.

MDA is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for 40 neuromuscular diseases affecting more than a million Americans.

Those interested in becoming a counselor this summer are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For positions at Camp Waskowitz, call (206) 283-2106. For opportunities at Camp Larson, call Sharon Perry at the MDA Inland Northwest office, 325-3747.

Fund-raisers

Step into spring at the Spokane Symphony Associates’ Luncheon and Style Show May 21 in Ballroom 3 at Crescent Court. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Spokane Symphony.

Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by the symphony’s annual meeting and luncheon at noon. The style show features fashions from J.C. Penney.

Two hours of parking is free, provided by the Parkade and River Park Square garages. Tickets are $15.

For reservations, call Lynn Rudy at 456-8543.

Food, fun and horses are plentiful as Career Connections presents its annual Horseback Trail Ride May 31 at Northwest Trails in Deer Park.

Festivities begin at 1 p.m., with a trail ride, raffles and prizes, and a catered dinner from the Longhorn Barbecue restaurant. The public is invited to participate, with or without a horse.

All proceeds benefit Career Connections, a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities gain independence through employment.

Tickets are $15 per person or $30 per family. For reservations, call Bill Stout at Career Connections, 928-0423.

Free preschool program

Spokane’s Early Childhood Education Assistance Program, sponsored by the YWCA, is enrolling 4-year-old children for its free preschool program, a family-centered preschool thatincludes education, health and social services. In addition, children can take eight weeks of swimming lessons.

Family eligibility is based on federal low-income guidelines.

Applications are available at the YWCA, 829 W. Broadway, or by calling 326-1190, ext. 131.

Community events

Build fitness into your day while helping improve air quality in our community.

“Fresh Air Week ‘97,” today through Saturday, is to encourage Spokane citizens to reduce their car use by 20 percent through biking, walking and carpools.

People are also asked to combine errands to reduce car trips and to use the bus system regularly. Fresh Air Week is a grass-roots effort to bring about citywide ownership of air quality issues. Organizers are working with schools, churches and health organizations to gain support in reducing car usage.

Those who pledge to reduce their car use by 20 percent or more this year are eligible to win a $100 prize.

To enter the drawing, write your name, address and phone number on a postcard. Include on the card your plan to reduce your personal car use.

Mail to: Fresh Air Week, 516 W. 29th, Spokane, WA 99203.

The prize drawing will take place at the Rally for Fresh Air at noon Friday in the Clock Tower Meadow at Riverfront Park. The public is invited to the rally, which will include presentations and air quality resources.

Healthy Moms Week, a health education program for women, runs today through May 17 and is sponsored by Planned Parenthood.

The event will include a program at Spokane Falls Community College on Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with information on such topics as health care, breast and cervical cancer, midlife health, osteoporosis, family planning and fertility.

On Thursday, the event moves to the Lair at Spokane Community College from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Discount coupons for women’s health-care exams will be available.

For more information, call 326-6292.

Seniors

The Corbin Senior Center commemorates 30 years of service with an Anniversary Celebration and Vintage Style Show on May 19 at the Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland.

Festivities begin with a noon luncheon, followed by a style show hosted by The Woman’s Club of Spokane.

Corbin Senior Center is part of a statewide association of senior centers serving the needs of older adults. It’s a gathering place for activities and a clearing house for resources providing information on a variety of topics.

The center strives to enhance the dignity of seniors, support their independence and encourage their involvement in the community.

Tickets to the luncheon and style show are $6.

For reservations, call 327-1584.

, DataTimes