Dax Trejo’s children were so ecstatic when they heard they were going to camp, they started packing that same day.
Diego, 14, and Renata, 13, attended camp last year with the help of the Sunshine Fund. They went to Camp Assiniboia, just west of Winnipeg.
“When they wrote their letters (for camp), their emotion was kind of contained, but once we received the notification, they just released all that emotion,” Trejo said.
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Dax Trejo, right, with wife Sara, centre, daughter Renata, 13, left, and son Diego, 14.
Dax said Renata came home raving about camping under the stars in her tent, while Diego loved spending time with the animals and plants.
Both children loved singing songs and doing activities with other campers.
Trejo and his family moved to Winnipeg in 2021, after leaving their home in Mexico City.
Trejo said his family moved so his children could have a better education. Trejo is a master’s student at the University of Manitoba. When they moved to Winnipeg, Trejo said they immediately wanted to try everything in the city. Trejo said they started preparing for their first winter, despite arriving in Winnipeg in July.
How to donate
Send cheques to the Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund, c/o Unit 6-1110 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg, MB, R2G 1L1
You can also call in with a credit card number to 204-784-1130. Donate online at mbcamping.ca by clicking on the “donate now” box and then going to the fund’s Canada Helps donation page.
“We just wanted to avoid staying at home during the weekends so we can develop some memories,” said Trejo on Thursday.
During their first winter, Trejo said his family enjoyed trying their hand at skating and sledding through the snow.
Trejo said he often took his children on camping trips in the Mexican mountains, however the trip to Camp Assiniboia was the first time they camped without family or relatives.
Recent donors
Check out the list of recent donors.
Robert & Sylvia Fenton, $1500
Patricia Ozechowsky, $200
Anonymous, $50
Alison Darling, $100
Karla Braun, $100
Chris Stevens, $250
Anonymous, $200
Arnold Guy, $100
Louise Hembroff, $100
Paul & Patricia Verwymeren, $200
Bruce Jacobs, $50
Bettina Nyman, $100
Anonymous, $150 — in honour of John Inskip
Elspeth Sangster, $50
Sharron Dale Turner, $100
Kaye Dunlop, $100
David Little, $300
Clare Classon, $300 — in memory of Garth Classon
Janyce Boschman, $100
Bryan Tone, $100
Claudia Chernitsky, $50
Anonymous, $150
Iris McKay, $200
Jarald Simundson, $200
Anonymous, $100
Jacqueline Field, $50
Barry Elkin, $200 — in memory of Diane & Suzanne Elkin
Jack & Jackie Scott, $100
Duncan & Judy Jessiman, $2000
Anonymous, $1000
Laura Donatelli, $100
Keith Shackleford, $100
Donna Kormilo, $400
Yvette Schwartz, $100 — in memory of Lucille Couture
Anonymous, $100
Anonymous, $100 — in memory of R.J.C. & Alice Toone
Anonymous, $300 — in memory of Margaret & William Payjack
Penny Kelly, $100
Mary Beth Shields, $100
Anonymous, $250
Wayne & Helen LeBlanc, $50
Louise Ilchyshyn, $50
Anonymous, $900 — in memory of Barbara Coghlan
Anonymous, $50
Margaret Stuart, $100 — in memory of Kay Schalme”
Marilyn Trepel, $200
Marg Wilson, $200 — in honour of Dennis
Anonymous, $8
Gerry Blowatt, $20
Gabby Desrosiers, $20
Anonymous, $200
Anonymous, $300 — in memory of our mother, Dorothy Hofley
Mike Mielke, $10
Sylvia Onofriechuk, $50
Frank Plett, $500
Peter Wasechko, $500 — in memory of my late wife, Olga
This year, Diego and Renata will attend Camp Koinonia south of Boissevain. Renata will be attending the camp in July, and Diego will go in August.
Trejo views the coming years as important times for his children to build lasting memories. He said the Sunshine Fund helps his family build those memories.
“If there wasn’t support available, they would’ve missed that opportunity,” Trejo said.
Each year, the Sunshine Fund sends about 600 children to 32 camps across Manitoba and Ontario.
matthew.frank@freepress.mb.ca