WARRENSBURG — The Christian-based nonprofit Hope Outdoors Central Missouri Chapter and Arising Hope Ministries are hosting a Gala event, “Hope Arises,” on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Milestones Barn in Warrensburg.
Hope Outdoors is a national not-for-profit organization and the local chapter started in West Central Missouri in 2019.
Together with community volunteers, the organization works to meet the needs of children with disabilities and terminal illnesses, finding ways for them to participate in the outdoors. The youth who apply are given the opportunity to go on hunting and fishing trips. Equipment designed specifically for children with disabilities is used to get them on trails in the woods and in boats on the lake to help them have a great experience. Camp Hope will be hosted at Encounter Cove near Camdenton in July 2024.
The gala is a fundraiser to provide more than 100 children and their families the opportunity to attend Camp Hope in 2024.
“I really believe that this camp will impact these children in such an amazing way,” Gala Chairperson Jennifer Smithson said. “Each of these children have some type of disability or illness that might have limited their ability to participate but this camp will be just for them to experience love and inclusion, spiritual growth and they will be able to experience this with their families.
Camp Hope will provide a special place for the Hope Outdoors Central Missouri families to gather and give the kids the opportunity to participate in bonding activities with a summer camp experience.
“I got involved in Hope Outdoors through my church, New Life Fellowship, where Central Missouri Chapter Director Randy Thornton also attends,” Smithson said.
Smithson’s husband has been a hunting guide on many occasions. Smithson said she sees the impact that this organization has had on the many families that benefit not only from the opportunity to hunt and fish but also from a support system they have not experienced before.
“Struggles are hard, but when you find people living those same highs and lows, it makes it easier,” Smithson said. “I got involved in putting together this fundraising gala when I heard during a church service recently that they were needing to raise a large amount of funds for a summer camp they wanted to put together for the Hope Outdoors families through the partner organization, Arising Hope Ministries.”
Smithson said parents are amazed by what their children can do when given the opportunity and the right tools.
She said if it takes special equipment, Hope Outdoors acquires and provides it to help each child have a successful outing.
“This Camp Hope opportunity for the families will be a bit different than what they are used to,” Smithson said. “But it will be a great coming together of the children and their families to bond, connect, and get closer to God.
“My goals for this gala are to raise awareness of this organization and what it is doing for kids that have challenges or limited time so they can be included and to raise a significant amount of funds to help cover as much of the cost as possible, so the burden doesn’t fall on the families. My goal for the impact on the children is really to just see them enjoy time with their friends and to see smiles on their faces about the experience this camp had. I hope they begin or build on a relationship with Jesus and can be more confident that God made everyone for a purpose and a calling.”
The gala will feature a meal and cash bar, a variety of silent and live auction items, and Hope Outdoors Central Missouri Director Randy Thornton will speak.
To get involved with the gala, individuals can donate an auction item, purchase ads in the Gala souvenir book, sponsor a family to attend camp, or purchase a table or sponsorship bundle. All funds raised at the event will go directly to the Camp Hope project.
For more information about the gala, call Smithson at 816-850-5516. For more information about Hope Outdoors, contact Thornton at 816-345-5178.
