Date Added: 15-01-2005

 Denise Gant had a dream on a recent sleety, windy winter night. It was about summer camp, and there are about 100 children with muscular dystrophy having a similar dream. The Warren Kiwanis Club wants to make those dreams come true.

The children are counting down the number of days until June. Then they go to Camp Cavell in Lexington, where they can get out of their wheelchairs and climb a tree or ride a horse. Gant oversees the medical and physical needs of the children, who each have a volunteer personal attendant at camp.

An attendant can take a child into Lake Huron in a balloon-tire beach chair that moves through the sand. With ropes and pulleys, children can actually get that bird's-eye view.

There are two 1-week Muscular Dystrophy Association sessions for campers ages 6 to 21. This is the 50th year for the MDA camp, which is supported entirely by fund-raisers. There is no cost to the camper's family, but it takes $600 to cover each child and the attendant.

The Kiwanians think every child who wants to swim in a lake for the first time or play wheelchair hockey should get the chance to do it.

The club sponsors a Texas Hold'em Tournament on Jan. 23 at DeCarlo's Banquet and Convention Center, 6015 E. 10 Mile Road, from which 100 percent of the net proceeds go to MDA. Registration is at noon, and play is 1 to 3 p.m. The final round is 4 to 6 p.m.

The $70 admission includes other games, the football playoffs on big screen TVs, all-you-can eat hotdogs, chili, pizza, salad, beer and soda. The tournament's big prize is $500. Call DeCarlo's at (586) 759-6500 for reservations.

"We are very excited about the Kiwanis doing this for our kids," Gant said. "At camp, a kid is just one of the crowd, which they never experience anywhere else. They create relationships, maybe have a boyfriend or a girlfriend for the first time. They bring gowns and have volunteers do their hair and makeup, and go to a dance in the lodge."

Attendants stay in the bunk bedrooms with the children. One longtime volunteer, who is now a dentist, regularly returns to camp.

"Some kids are total care with feeding, bathing and toileting. Volunteers attend all activities with them, but they don't baby them. I think it's a spiritual and universal experience. You get to see the kids grow up," she said.

Camp also gives parents respite from their children's care and time to devote to their other children or take a vacation.

MDA camp has kayaking, ramps to the beach, bonfires, games, adaptive archery and crafts. MDA also provides many parties for clients throughout the year.

The club's third annual Super Bowl and Millionaire's Party begins at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6. One-hundred percent of the net proceeds benefit the Beaumont Pediatrics Division of Children's Miracle Network. It also takes place at DeCarlo's and offers Texas Hold'em, blackjack and craps.

Admission is $20 per person (21 and older) and includes a $5 raffle ticket that offers chances to win color TVs. Other raffles are available, as are all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, chicken wings, salad, beer and soda. People younger than 21 can get in for $10, but without a raffle ticket.

Sign-in for Texas Hold'em begins at 3:30 p.m. Dealing starts at 4:30 p.m. The tournament entry fee is $50 and seating is limited. Top prize is $500. To reserve a spot, call Shelly Masi at (586) 759-6500.

For more information about the Warren Kiwanis Club, call Vito Marchese at (586) 677-7090.

Send news of your service club to: Linda May c/o The Macomb Daily, 100 Macomb Daily Drive, Mount Clemens, MI 48046, or lindamay@ameritech.net. Phone/fax (586) 791-8116.

Source: http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/011505/loc_may%20col001.shtml