The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO) made camp dreams come true for 831 kids across Canada this summer.

Through the generosity of donors to NRO’s annual Send a Kid to Camp campaign, which took place in 107 locations over six weeks, $207,858 was raised. These funds support sending local children from the thrift stores’ communities to 11 Salvation Army camps in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Our teams put incredible effort into our Send a Kid to Camp campaign,” says Michele Walker, national director of retail operations, NRO. “Their dedication and desire to support our camping ministries can be seen in these amazing results, as they raised $25,000 more than last year.”

Funds raised in this year’s campaign are in addition to a $15,000 donation made by NRO thrift stores in Edmonton to purchase a new tractor for The Salvation Army’s Pine Lake Camp in Alberta.

“We received a special donation last year and our stores felt strongly about it being used for their local camp,” notes Walker. “On the list of needs for the camp was a new tractor to assist with upgrades to their site and we were happy to help fund it.”