Lions to host 2023 March Madness; summer camping opportunities scheduled

The Fort Atkinson Lions Club has announced that it be holding its March Madness raffle, with proceeds used to support local community activities, including Wisconsin Lions Camp. 

According  to a recent news release, the club supports such organizations as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, BOLD, BASE, Christmas Neighbors, DARE, Friends of the Library, Lady Blackhawks, Piecemakers Quilt, Rock River Community Clinic, and the Summer Reading program, among others. 

Tickets cost $20 each and are available for purchase through members of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club. Tickets also can be purchased through Michelle Ebbert who is leading the March Madness ticket project, according to the release. 

A drawing will be held at noon on all Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in March at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building. 

“There are 14 drawings in March with cash prizes starting at $150,” Ebbert noted within the release. 

Those looking to purchase tickets may contact Ebbert by email: Mchllann@yahoo.com. Tickets also are available at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, 101N N. Main St, Fort Atkinson.  

Wisconsin Lions Camp accepting programming applications

In addition, the Lions Club has announced that it is accepting applicants for its 2023 camping and outdoor recreational programs. 

According to information released by the club, the Wisconsin Lions Camp, which is owned and operated by the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, Inc., will begin accepting applications Monday, Jan. 30, from those interested in participating in this, its 67th year of camping for youth and adults with disabilities. 

One week of camping is provided free of charge to accepted applicants. The camp in Rosholt, Wisconsin, receives financial support from the Lions Clubs of Wisconsin, the release stated. 

Last year, the camp was attended by deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Fort Atkinson, the release noted. 

Specialized camping sessions are scheduled for youth and adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf or hard of hearing. Camping sessions are also scheduled for youth who have diabetes, intellectual disabilities, or educational autism, the release noted. 

Various programs have different application deadlines. A full listing of programs and application deadlines for campers can be found at https://www.wisconsinlionscamp.com/summer-camp. 

For more information, call: 715-677-4969.

A list of programs scheduled in 2023 follows. 

• Blind and visually impaired programming for adults: This program is open to blind or visually impaired adults, including those who are totally blind; legally blind (20/200) or have side vision of not more than 20° with correction; low vision, with vision of 20/40 Snellen or less with correction, and vision in one eye only. This program is restricted to 125 attendees per week, and will be held June 11 to 16. 

• Blind or visually impaired programming for youth: This program is open to youths who are ages 10-17 at the time that the program is being offered, and are blind or visually impaired, including those who are totally blind; legally blind (20/200) or have side vision of not more than 20° with correction; low vision, with vision of 20/40 Snellen or less with correction, and vision in one eye only. This program is restricted to 125 attendees per week, and will be held June 11 to 16. 

• Intellectual disabilities or autism programming for youth: This program is open to youth with intellectual disabilities or autism and is restricted to 125 individuals ages 12 to 17 per week, and will be held July 2 to 7. 

• Intellectual disabilities or autism programing for young adults: This program is open to young adults, ages 18 to 25, with intellectual disabilities or autism. This program is by invitation only with a lottery system used to select campers. This program is restricted to 125 attendees per week, and will be held June 18 to 23. 

• Programming for youth with diabetes: This program is open to youth, ages 12 to 16, with diabetes. This program uses a lottery system to select campers for each session. Campers must notify camp organizers about their choice of session for lottery inclusion by Feb. 1. The program is restricted to 125 attendees per week, but the number may vary. The program offers two session: the first will be held July 9 to 14. A second session will be held July 16 to 21. 

• Programming for youth with epilepsy: This program is open to youth with epilepsy and runs concurrently with the blind or visually impaired youth program. The program is restricted to 125 attendees per week and to campers who will be ages 10 to 17. The program will be offered from June 11 to 16. 

• Deaf or hard of hearing programming for youth: This program is open to deaf or hard of hearing youth, and is restricted to 125 attendees per week. Campers must be 10 to 17 years old. The program offers two sessions: the first will be held July 23 to 28, and a second will be held July 30 to Aug. 4. 

• Deaf or hard of hearing programming for adults: This program is open to deaf or hard of hearing adults, and is restricted to 125 attendees per week. The program will be held Aug. 14 to 18. 

Makayla Thoma, a Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department employee in 2021, draws the winning ticket for the Fort Atkinson Lions Club’s March Madness Raffle. The drawing was held last year on St. Patrick’s Day.

File photo/contributed by Patti Hurtgen. 

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