Thank you for your encouragement and support this year! We have been deeply humbled by the support we have received since June. As we near the end of 2020, I want to let you know how we are doing, give you a peak at one of the cool projects we’ve been able to work on, update you on our financial situation, and ask you to help us finish this year financially strong.
As you know, due to the restrictions in New Mexico, EPCC was not able to open for camps or guest groups during 2020. Because of this, we shifted our focus to serving families by offering vacation rentals: 2 cabins, 2 RV sites, and 2 tent sites. We were able to serve 45 families with these rentals, from June to November. During this strange season, it was a joy for us to have people at camp experiencing the mountains.
In addition to hosting vacation rentals, the staff here at EPCC took time to catch up on deferred maintenance tasks including building and equipment repairs, roads and grounds improvements and several infrastructure upgrades. We are so thankful for the volunteers who traveled to camp, despite the pandemic, to help us with some of these projects. One major project that I want to highlight was completed with the help of the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance and Watershed Artisans Inc. With their expertise and substantial grant funding, we were able to restore trout habitat with new sustainable pools in El Porvenir Creek from the paintball course all the way to the first foot bridge. Many trout have already moved into these pools just waiting for campers to catch them next summer!
Since June, we have received JUST ENOUGH in donations to hold our finances steady. Of the $194,000 in support we have received over the past 5 months, $156,000 of that was from isolated one time gifts. That is absolutely amazing! However, it highlights the fact that we currently only have about $7500 in monthly commitments.
We need $35,000 in new gifts before December 31st to stay above our goal.
If you have thought about giving but have not done so yet, will you support us before the end of 2020? If you have donated this year, thank you so much! We could not be where we are without you. Will you help us again?
A $10,000 gift would pay for our employee benefits for 6 months! A $5000 gift would pay our propane bill for the entire winter, keeping several homes warm and backup generators cranking when the power goes out. A $2500 gift would pay a whole month’s electric bill, which keeps water pumping in our well, our shop tools humming, and several buildings from freezing. A $1000 gift would cover costs to restock the nurses station supplies, which have all expired since we last had summer camp. A $500 gift would pay for all the diesel fuel we need to keep the roads plowed this winter. $50 will replace all the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!
Any size gift makes a difference!!!
As I reflect back on this year, I can see God’s work throughout the ministry here at EPCC. It has not been easy, but that does not mean that the events of 2020 cannot be used by God for good. If nothing else, the hunger for God’s care and Christian fellowship have never been stronger. I look towards 2021 with hope that God will continue to use this place to change lives. When the time comes, we want to be fully prepared to serve campers again. And with your help, we will be.
Thank you for being our partner.
In deep gratitude for you,
Nate Stafford, Executive Director