Whatsoever a Man Soweth…
There is a group of volunteers who have left their indelible mark on the grounds of Warm Beach Camp. This group is the SOWERs.
The SOWERs (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready) organization started in 1983 and is a group of retired couples who dedicate their retirement years to traveling the U.S. in their RV’s doing volunteer work for 180 different Christian organizations, one of which is Warm Beach Camp. Since their inception they have had over 3,100 members, with 850 now active.
Ray Arthur, Office Manager for the SOWERs, explains that the heart of the ministry is “to serve and encourage Christian Ministries to fulfill the commands of Jesus Christ.”
The first SOWER group set foot on WBC in May of 1997. Since that time, 182 volunteer couples have come to serve. This totals 19,656 hours of volunteer labor!
Clearly, this amazing ministry has had a huge impact on WBC. They provided nearly all the labor for the construction of the Maple Center and the two new Mt. Baker cabins, and for the renovations of the five original Mt. Baker cabins. They not only provided the labor, but gave most of the funding for converting a former camp cottage into the Volunteer Center. They have worked on countless staff houses. In the dead of winter, they built a temporary dishwashing room behind Cedar Lodge while they renovated the pot washing area in the kitchen.
The men typically help with construction projects and are often skilled laborers, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, and carpenters. The ladies help with anything from office work to sewing to cleaning. Mind you, all this help comes to the Camp free of charge.
Thank you to all the SOWERs who have poured their time and abilities into WBC. Your hands have truly left your mark on this ministry.