Signing Your Name & Turning the Page

Signing Your Name & Turning the Page

People gathered at the fire pit by the Wanakee Farmhouse

The 2017 camping season is off to an incredible start! During our first week, over 70 campers have experienced this community of radical acceptance. It has been an honor and a joy to watch them laugh, connect, learn, grow, sing, struggle, and achieve.

In preparation for summer 2017, one of the biggest efforts of the “off” season was the Farmhouse Renovation and “Sign Your Name” fundraiser. Let’s get right to the results: the project is done (ahead of schedule and below budget), the results are in (they’re spectacular), and your generosity was incredible (truly). The total raised in early 2017 for the Farmhouse Renovation was $16,844.34. Thank you!

How did we get there?

Before and after looks at the Farmhouse soffit and fascia.

Before and after looks at the Farmhouse soffit and fascia.

  • 60 unique gifts, ranging from $9.42 to $2,500

  • Average gift size: $280.74

  • 5 gifts of $1,000 or more

  • 36 gifts between $9.42 and $100, totaling $2,352.96 (!!)

  • 4 gifts from outside the United States

  • 31 gifts from past Wanakee staff

  • 9 gifts from 2017 Wanakee camper families

  • 2 gifts from current Wanakee staff

  • 1 donor who is a dog

  • $16,844.34 total raised

These gifts have been put right into our final payments on the Farmhouse project. They live on in windows that open (and close!), a thoughtfully and lovingly restored historic structure, a building envelope prepared to handle the New Hampshire elements, a warm welcome when you arrive at camp, and a proud statement of professionalism and permanence.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t recall last June, when members of the Wanakee community donated over $10,700 during our “Dollar-for-Dollar” campaign. That 2016 generosity was a huge gift of confidence, showing that this community was ready to dig into the work of ensuring a high-quality Wanakee experience for the next generation of campers. Comparing 2017 to 2016, the number of donors and net giving increased by more than 50%. If you know me, you know I’m already dreaming: what will this community do next?

The Caledonian Carpentry team; Roy, Kevin, Matt, Mara, and Molly.

The Caledonian Carpentry team; Roy, Kevin, Matt, Mara, and Molly.

As we turn the page on this project and chart a course towards our next set of upgrades, please know that what I wrote last July remains true. Stewarding Wanakee’s resources is an enormous responsibility, and we take that stewardship very seriously. Thank you for trusting us.

Once again, my deepest gratitude to each of the individuals and families below. Your support is inspiring and motivating. We can’t wait to see you at the Wanakee Wilderness 5K and Homecoming Weekend on August 19th.

Grace and Peace (and gratitude),

James Tresner, Executive Director

Farmhouse Renovation Donors

Supporters of the Together for Tomorrow Campaign

Supporters of the 2015 and 2016 Wanakee Wilderness 5Ks

John R. Parkhurst, in Memory of Frank A. "Bud" Richards

Doors Given by

  • The Parker Family

  • The Read Family

  • The Tresner and Tresner-Kirsch Families

Windows Given by

  • John & Rita Blackadar

  • Devon Dickson

  • Michael Miller

  • Jane Richards

  • The 2004 & 2005 Wanakee Staff

50+ Feet of Siding Given by

  • Kristine Owen

  • Phil & Rita Polhemus

  • Nancy Richards, in honor of Bud and Jane Richards

  • Nicole Richards

  • Sean & Victoria Sheehan

5+ Feet of Trim Given by

  • Kevin & Susan Drew

  • Christopher & Melissa Gaherty

  • Phyllis & Richard Riviere

  • St. James United Methodist Church, Merrimack NH

  • Nathan & Lindsey Tapp

10+ Feet of Siding Given by

  • Anonymous

  • Gillian Armstrong

  • Dave & Carol Bovee, in honor of Jane Richards

  • Georgia & Ed Deblois

  • David Dwyer

  • Christine & Wade Ewing, in honor of Ross, Benjamin, and Bradley Ewing

  • Susan Goetcheus

  • Melissa Ives

  • Abigail Lavoie

  • Mary Munroe

  • Amy Newlove

  • Michael Nuttall

  • Jessi Rice & James Greenlow

  • David & Sue Richards, in memory of Ethel Mundy

  • Zak & Leah Ringelstein

  • Rich & Sue Rudolf

  • Cindy Sroda

  • James W. Tresner, John Tresner, and Bill Black

  • United Methodist Church of Enfield

  • Carol Munroe, in honor of her 4 children and 6 grandchildren

Trim Given by

  • Alison Borek

  • Becki Campbell

  • Erin Fitzmaurice

  • Tom & Wendy Getchell-Lacey

  • Stephanie Gilbert

  • Michelle & Bob Jaques

  • The Luke Family

  • Matthew Mansur

  • Cynthia Nickerson

  • Ilse & R.D. Seichter

  • Tony and Kristina Wagnitz

Siding Given by

  • Brutus

  • Courtney Choate

  • Dawn Ely

  • Dwight Haynes

  • Penny & James Maurer

  • Rachael McMillan

  • Katie & Shayne Parent

  • Lexi Wagnitz

  • Libby Wagnitz

  • The Walz Family

Matt Wilfrid