

However, this is not the end of the story for the intrepid Wisconsin VIM members! Jess Shaker, Lake Lucerne Program Manager, and Jack Kallio, Facilities Manager, created a video of the projects that Lake Lucerne has been able to work on while unable to host campers and retreat groups. A Zoom call (which was a first for many of the members) allowed Jack to talk the members through the projects, while answering any questions they had.


The support received from Wisconsin VIM as a result of this video and sharing of Lake Lucerne needs has been overwhelming! Individual donations of $2,600 were received from generous VIM members, and, in addition, the Wisconsin VIM reimbursed Lake Lucerne for supplies totaling $3,119.00.
Once the wood chips arrived, a crew of seventeen spent Thursday, November 19 working – self-distanced – at the playground and at other odd jobs in the camp. Although the full work week was cancelled this year, knowing that folks sleeping together in cabins was not safe in light of COVID transmission, they still came for one day of outside, socially distanced work, spreading the mountain of wood chips delivered a few days before and helping with a variety of other smaller jobs as well.
As a result of these donations, we have already completed placing the landscape timbers and wood chips around the new playground across from the dining hall.
This new playground with the wood chips, specially created for this use, is standing and waiting patiently for children to return to Lake Lucerne next summer. In addition, a steel beam and wiring was ordered and used to reinforce the roof of the Bluebird Cabin. The Pine Cabin kitchenette replacement is the next job on the list, and we are waiting for a particularly snowy day to do this inside work.

VIM participants have also been invited to complete a Habitat for Humanity home in Wisconsin. Tentative plans for trips to Florida, North Carolina, and other locations have been made, with the understanding that they may not occur due to COVID.

Although there is sadness in not being able to host Volunteers in Mission at Lake Lucerne fall of 2020, joy is found in two weeks of Volunteers in Mission planned for 2021! For more information, please contact Melinda Trotti, Interim Director at Lake Lucerne at 920-293-4488.