Donations can accomplish many things for great causes. And for Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, a large donation meant much-needed upgrades were possible.
Bay Cliff’s electric bills were outrageous from the camp’s sodium lights and inefficient appliances, until Alger Delta Electric Cooperative came to the rescue.
“We’ve got buildings that were built back in the ‘60s, and the lighting systems were pretty old and really needed going through, and they did all that for us,” said Big Bay maintenance supervisor, Keith Campbell.
Over the course of last summer, the company upgraded the camp’s electrical system and appliances in the name of their Energy Optimization Program. They then donated over $32,000, which covered 75 percent of the total bill, and presented the check to Bay Cliff this past January.
“The Energy Optimization Program helps members of all kinds implement conservation and energy efficiency measures in their homes and businesses,” said Tom Harrell, Alger Delta’s general manager.
With Alger Delta’s donation of money and labor, the camp was able to become more energy efficient. All of the lights were replaced in all of the old buildings, and even a brand new dishwasher was added.
“One of the reasons that we do this is the cost of saving energy is less than the cost of building more power plants to produce energy,” Harrell said.
The new appliances and lights throughout the camp have significantly lowered energy usage. The camp’s electric bill will now be $6,000 less each year, thanks to the new electrical system.
About Bay Cliff Health Camp:
Bay Cliff is a year-round, nonprofit therapy and wellness center for children and adults with physical disabilities. Bay Cliff’s priority program is a seven-week, summer therapy camp session serving children with orthopedic, speech, hearing and vision disabilities. The children work towards goals of increased independence and living a fuller life. Bay Cliff also sponsors a week-long recreational camp for adults with physical disabilities, an adaptive paddling workshop, a health and wellness retreat for polio survivors, winter recreation for the children and adults that attend the camp’s summer programs, family programs for children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and obesity, and a professional development workshop for pediatric therapists.
Bay Cliff also partners with nonprofit groups and schools interested in conducting programs at the camp. These guest programs include health and wellness retreats, youth development, science and outdoor recreation programs, or volunteer and leadership training for people with and without disabilities.
The camp is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of community leaders and health care professionals who care about children. The board employs an executive director, who is responsible for administering and supervising the program, facility and staff. Learn more at baycliff.org.
