KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — While Kalamazoo debates the efficacy of the Foundation for Excellence as a funding source for city services, supporters of the concept argue the community already relies on non-profits, foundations and charities like the Gospel Mission, the Salvation Army, Loaves and Fishes, the United Way, and other groups to support and provide social programs that government is unwilling or unable to support.
Local foundations set up specifically for these purposes help support parks and recreation and have largely funded the creation of the area’s growing trail system.
Those were once mostly funded by local taxpayers but alternatives had to be found when budgets got tight during the great recession.
There are housing organizations and groups that provide substance abuse services, and family counseling, literacy education and others that make Kalamazoo function as a community. Service that are being provided in other communities by elected governments.
And Kalamazoo has been depending on the generosity of its residents for a very long time.
Camp Pretty Lake is a good example. This year the camp is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Mayor Bobby Hopewell is a veteran of the camp, spending time as a camper, a counselor and now as a board member. He said it provides a summer camping experience for the children of families that would never be able to afford it otherwise.
He says in the century long history of the place they have been able to provide summer camp to over 50,000 children.
“Every summer, 800 of them come to camp not having to bring a thing,” Hopewell said. “We provide soap and towels and swimsuits, everything they need, tooth brushes and toothpaste, all that for every child that comes to eliminate any barriers to being at camp.”
It’s all supported by donors in the private, corporate and philantrhopic sectors and not tax dollars.
“We are going to keep this going for another 100-plus years and we just thank the community for supporting it all these years,” Hopewell said.
