Camp Winnebago is a non-profit 501C3 orgznization for the developmentally disabled located in Caledonia, MN whose main focus is summer camps. They serve ages 6-70 and some campers have been coming for decades. Frequently, this is their only chance for recreation so it is great that Camp Winnebago is able to offer trails, swimming, camping, music, and crafts to name a few. They’ll be having eight weeks of camp and this summer are having a Country Jam trip to Eau Claire. There are up to 44 campers a week and they are expecting even more campers this summer. They’re celebrating their 40th anniversary of helping adults and children this year and have recently done some remodeling so Zcare was glad to be able to help with their efforts. On Friday, May 29th, Zcare was able to make a donation to Camp Winnebago for art supplies. Pictured are (from left) Executive Director Rande, Administrative Assistant Chaia, and Program Director Valerie. Camp Winnebago recently opened their lower campground to the public for day use. For more information or to make a donation of your own, click here. Special thanks to Lori Morton-Lockley for all her hard work in helping to arrange the donation.

Also, on Saturday, October 4, 2008 Camp Winnebago will be holding “PUTIN’ ON THE RITZ” - a fun-filled, entertaining formal evening featuring horse drawn carriage rides, a gourmet meal, fine wines, regional celebrities, a comedian, a silent and live auction, special desserts, entertainment, music, dancing and more! Tickets will go on sale this summer. You won’t want to miss this event!!! All proceeds will benefit Camp Winnebago . More details to come here on our Zcare site.

What: A community fundraising event for La Crosse Pride 2008 (August 23)

When: Friday May 30^th, 2008 7pm to 10pm

Venue: Peaberry’s Coffeehouse & Café  40 Copeland Ave La Crosse, WI 54603  608-784-2655

Tickets: $15 per person

Includes:Hors D’oeuvres, Iced Tea, and Coffee (catered by Peaberry’s), Wine & Beer Tastings, and Coffee and Tea Cuppings from 7 to 8pm, a chance to win door prizes, Live Music with Karaoke to follow

Also available: Espresso drinks available for sale, Cash Bar–Beer, Wine, and Liquor

On April 18 and 19, two UW-L residence halls, Hutchinson and Laux, are putting on a fundraiser called MAD Dash to LAX. Both residence halls are putting on this program by themselves since it is not a University program or event. They will be taking a coach bus and a few 15-passenger vans filled with close to 100 UW-L students down to Madison. From Madison, pairs of students will run in two-mile increments and relay their way back to the La Crosse campus. All of the money raised by this program will be donated to Shriners Hospital for Children, which provides free specialized orthopedic, burn, and spinal cord injury care to children, all funded through private donations. You can find more information about this organization by clicking on the link here. Our goal for this fundraiser is to raise at least $7,500. For more information on the event please email Kayla Hanson at: hanson.kayl@students.uwlax.edu

The Parents for Lewiston-Altura Youth (P.L.A.Y) Group is having its Annual Winter Carnival on Saturday February 16^th from 11 am to 2 pm at the Lewiston Elementary School. There will be fun for the whole family with games, Bingo, prizes and food. Come and Enjoy!!! The public is invited.

Win a date! February 8 at the City Brewery Hospitality Center. Doors open at 6:30 with the event beginning at 7. Your $10 donation includes one free drink from the bar, appetizers and beverages, and entry for all door prizes. Tickets available at the City Brewery Hospitality Center (1111 S. 3rd Street or 608-784-4820), Gracie’s Greek Restaurant (across from UW-L), or from Choya Woods at 608-519-0183. Tickets also available at the door. For more information contact Choya, the Hospitality Center or log on today Stop the Fires. Darfur.

There are women and children in Western Sudan, Africa that need our help. Their human rights have been taken away leaving them to flee their homes due to acts of violence, rape, famine, and homelessness. There are over 2 million women and children displaced from their homes in Darfur, and we can help them. Over 1.2 million homeless people are at an increased risk of disease and malnutrition with the onset of the heavy rains.

The Cracked Nut: Where mice rule. A cheesy comedy for everyone’s taste. A hilarious look at the other side of the nutcracker. Put on by Marilyn School of Dance with a special appearance by The One Acchord Performance Company

Show dates and times:

Saturday Feb. 23 6:00 PM Tomah Senior High Auditorium

Saturday March 1 6:00 PM Lunda Theatre Black River Falls

Advance tickets available at: Marilyn School of Dance Studios in Tomah and Black River Falls, Phillips Pharmacy and JJ’s floral, both in Tomah. Adv prices: $7 Adult, $5 Senior citizens and children 12 and under. Tickets at the door are two dollars extra each.

Saturday Feb. 16 10-noon

Graupel and stellars and columns, oh my! Join us as we investigate the wonderful world of snow! We’ll learn the different names of snowflakes and how snowflakes form. We’ll also talk about Native American names for snow, do some painting in the snow and create snowflakes of our own! Dress for going outside and exploring! If there is no snow, we will still hike and have fun. This program is appropriate for children ages 5-10 and is limited to 12 children. Parents are welcome to attend but not required to. Fee is $2 for members and $4 for non-members. Please call 608-784-0303 to preregister for this program.

February 3 at the Bill Grant Community Center in Dakota, MN from 6am to noon. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children and only $1 preschoolers. Sponsored by the Dakota Fire Department Relief Association

Nicole is a 6th grader at Cashton Middle School and was selected to represent the area as a student ambassador of the USA. She will be traveling to France, Italy, and Greece as a part of the European Odyssey for 20 days this summer. The fundraiser is to help cover the expenses of this once in a lifetime trip. It will be held on Saturday February 16th at the Cashton Community Hall from 11am to 3pm. Activities include: lunch, pie auction, bake sale, raffles, karaoke and other children’s activities.

Please join the Friends of the Trempealeau Public Library for “A Sweet Affair” on Sunday Feb. 10 at the Trempealeau Public Library on Fremont Street. From 4 to 6:30pm they will be offering wine tasting, chocolate, coffee, tea, and a silent auction. Admission is $10 in advance (available at the library and Suliivan’s supper club) and $12 at the door. For more information click here or call 608-534-6197