Warren Craft lives up to his lablel, “Warren in Motion”

For more than twenty years, Camp Kawartha’s annual “Green-In-Motion” fundraiser has raised money for the camp’s sponsorship fund.  As a result, many deserving children have been given the opportunity to experience the thrill of summer camp.  This year, in recognition of the $102,000 twenty-year total singlehandedly raised by Warren Craft, the event has fittingly adopted the name “Warren-In-Motion.” For his contributions to Camp Kawartha, as well as a number of other causes and organizations, Craft was named the Community Volunteer of the Year at the annual County of Peterborough Recognition Awards last Friday.
    In 1994, Craft made his Camp Kawartha volunteering debut, marking the beginning of a long and rewarding experience with the camp.  However, Craft remembers, “Volunteering was not something that I consciously set out to do. I liked to ride a bike, so I thought it would be an enjoyable way to get more involved.”  In his first year, Craft raised a couple of hundred dollars. That number gradually grew to approximately $5,000-$7,000 accumulated per year.  To date, Craft has individually raised enough money to sponsor thousands of youth.    “What I did was able to make a difference and give these kids a chance,” said Craft. “When I read the testimonials of children who have been given the opportunity to go to camp, it makes every minute worthwhile.”
    During Craft’s 19 year involvement with Camp Kawartha, he has spent nine of them on the Board of Directors and two as President. Right now, Craft is preparing for this year’s “Warren-In-Motion” event.  Although an official date has yet to be set, nearly 100 donations have already come in, totalling close to $2,000.  “The support has always been amazing and I really want to thank all of the people who have sponsored me over the years,” says a grateful Craft.
    In addition to his work at Camp Kawartha, Craft also supports a variety of other causes.  In 2000, he began canvassing for the Fleming College United Way Campaign, successfully heading up the operation for 12 years. Prompted by a background in farming, Craft has participated in several International Ploughing Matches and has been a member of the Peterborough County Plowmen’s Association for 42 years.  Craft has even found time to regularly sing with the Bonnachord male chorus for the past 22 years.
    At the 2013 Recognition Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 24, the award for Community Volunteer of the Year clearly went to a well-deserving recipient.