Camp Manitowa offers sleepaway camp for more than 600 children each summer as well as group retreats in the spring and fall at its location near Lakes Benton and Hamilton.

“I posted something on Facebook Wednesday and got so many words of support and encouragement that I decided to do it,” he said.

The plan fell together quickly, he said.

Camp counselors, lifeguards and other staff signed up to help and are donating their time and talents to the special weekend.

Pakt Community Center, a north St. Louis County non-profit social service organization providing help for individuals and families in need, joined the effort by identifying children who may benefit from the camp.

Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis is coordinating volunteer help and donations of supplies for the camp, Brown said, and a bus company is offering its services, at a deeply discounted rate, to drive the children to and from Franklin County.

“I am overwhelmed by and proud of the support from my community. This has been a real volunteer effort and the community has really come together to help,” he said. “They’ll have about 48 hours to enjoy the camp, nature and all the activities. We hope it gives them a positive start to the school year because they’ve been going through so much."

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