Anza couple to raise money for Ronald McDonald camp

Team We’re Not of this World led by Anza residents Cameron and Lois Henson will participate in the Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern California Walk for Kids 2011 held April 10 at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga to raise money for the SoCal nonprofit organization’s mission to send children, who have cancer or are in remission, to camp.

The Henson’s goal is to raise $500, according to the Walk for Kids 2011 website at http://www.walkforkids.org.

As of print time, the couple has raised $100. To donate to their cause, visit the Walk for Kids 2011 website and click “Donate/Sponsor.” Enter “Cameron Henson” in the search engine provided, and the Hensons’ name will pop up.

If they can raise more money then they intend, that would be great, Lois Henson said in a recent interview. She also acknowledged the challenge of raising a large amount of money when living in a small community.

Last year, the Hensons were joined on the walk by Fred Reed and his daughter, and Anza Outlook correspondent, Kassandra. Reed’s wife and older daughter worked at Camp Ronald McDonald For Good Times in Mountain Center during the summer session, which is how they became involved with the charity.

Cameron Henson works for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times maintaining their grounds and buildings. The Hensons met working at the camp.

This year, Cameron, Lois, Fred, and Kassandra will walk again, and hope to attract either more teammates or more sponsors.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern California has been implementing its programs for 30 years.

The organization strives to provide comfort, care and support to children and families in Southern California through a variety of wellness and educational programs.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern California currently operates throughout Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

There are five Ronald McDonald Houses in Bakersfield, Loma Linda, Los Angeles, Orange and Pasadena, Camp Ronald McDonald For Good Times, a Community Grants Board and four scholarship programs for high-school students.

The Hensons’ goal is to donate their earnings to Camp Ronald McDonald For Good Times, a cost-free, medically supervised, year round, sleep-away camp for children with cancer and their families.

Through its structured activities, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times is said to help reverse the emotional damage cancer has imposed.

“Campers leave Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times (which is near Hemet Lake) with a more positive identity, an increased sense of independence and self-reliance, and the social competencies they will need to face their future,” according to the Walk for Kids 2011 website.

Children can go to the camp for summer and winter sessions. At summer camp, the children participate in traditional camp activities such as swimming, horseback riding, hiking, arts and crafts, performing arts, and sleeping under the stars. Activities at winter camp highlight a specific theme which changes each session.

Lois Henson enjoys going to the camp just to watch the children have fun, she said in the recent interview.

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