Although Camp Amanda-Minnesota, a free weekend camp for grieving children, has made its winter home in Annandale, residents of the community showed their commitment to the program even in other parts of the state. A Camp Amanda-Minnesota weekend took place Oct. 4-5, in Willow River, Minn., about 45 miles southwest of Duluth. Annandale was well represented at the camp, even though it took place so far away. “I was surprised when I realized that five of our camp volunteers were from the Annandale area. Art and Marlene Dingmann have done a wonderful job of sharing the story of the camp and recruiting volunteers for us,” said Holly Guncheon, Executive Director of the Minnesota Foundation for Children, which operates the camp. “Not only have they committed a great deal of their own time and money to make Camp Amanda-Minnesota happen, they have brought in many new volunteers.” The Dingmanns first got involved with the camp when they heard about the idea at the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association’s annual convention in May 2002. The camp was created and funded by funeral directors in Minnesota. “This was a no-brainer for me. I couldn’t wait to get involved,” said Art Dingmann, owner of Dingmann Funeral Care. “Over the years, I can’t even count the number of children that I’ve worked with who had lost a parent or a sibling. It has always been one of the most difficult parts of my job. Now I feel I have something to offer them. Of course, camp won’t make the pain go away or bring back their loved one, but it gives them the guidance and the hope to keep going. It helps make the pain bearable.” This was the first camp for the Dingmanns’ son Brian, who is also a funeral director. “Wow, it is hard to describe how meaningful this experience was – it was fun, it was exhausting, it was moving. I came to camp hoping to help some kids who were hurting. Little did I know that they would make such an impact on my life. I feel so lucky to have been a small part of their lives. I’m counting down the days to the next camp!” Like his parents, Brian is also recruiting new camp volunteers. “Two so far,” he said with a grin. Annandale’s business community has also taken up the cause. After talking with Marlene Dingmann at a community event, Karen Pitra of Karen’s Hallmark decided to donate stuffed animals for the campers. Each child receives a teddy bear and camp shirt to start off camp. “So far, Karen has given us about 15 cases of bears. They filled my Suburban,” Marlene Dingmann said. “One of the things that helps most when you are grieving is the support of your friends and family – your community. It’s so nice to know our community extends that love and support to grieving children that we don’t even know – yet.” The next Camp Amanda-Minnesota will take place in Annandale at Camp Friendship, Jan. 31-Feb. 1. More information and camper applications are available at Dingmann Funeral Care or through the camp’s Web site at www.campamanda minn.com.
