In my relentless pursuit of teaching my teenage daughter about philanthropy, we volunteered at the Camp Cucumber Christmas dinner last December.

She played games with the children, built gingerbread houses and helped paint faces, while I helped organize and prepare serving dishes for the gourmet Christmas dinner that was going to be served.
In October 1991 Diane McQuaig felt compelled to create an opportunity for single Mother families to celebrate the Christmas Season. The concept was to gather for a home cooked turkey dinner to connect and make new friends.  She approached her good friend Mel Manchee to spearhead the event with her.  Within days the idea was embraced by their friends and family and business associates.  They  committed to cooking in their homes and gathering items for a food basket for each family.  250 guests attended, and it was a resounding success.

As a result of that very evening, Diane dedicated her efforts to creating  what is now called, Camp Cucumber.  The camp runs for one week every  June.  It’s mission is to offer unique camping experiences to struggling single mothers and their children, between the ages of 5 and 13.  Many of the families in the Camp Cucumber program are living in shelters, and those in subsidized housing are finding it hard to make ends meet.

The week is has been described as no less than magical—transformational in fact. In most cases, families are referred to Camp Cucumber by social workers and social service agencies  The families board the bus in Toronto.   Most have never been north of the city, many are immigrants, but all share a love of their families and a sense of adventure.  Throughout the week they sing around the campfire, boogey to a disc jockey, participate in boat races, fishing, high rope climbing, archery, and so much more.  The gift is a lifetime of cherished memories and a network of new friends.

The counselors at camp are forever changed by spending time with these courageous women, who have fled their homelands, battled addiction, abuse, and heartbreaking loneliness while committing their lives to raising their children.

The volunteer staff is comprised of 16 counselors and senior staff who thrive on the joy of giving back.   Camp Cucumber has changed all of their lives, and taught them the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

Whatever your cause of choice, it is never too late to make a difference in someone’s life.  The sooner we embrace this concept and foster it in our children, quite frankly, the better.

Learn more (www.campcucumber.ca)

It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference

- Tom Brokaw