Carving for Charity

[KettleKarver]

Well, Irish asked that I start a new thread about the totem pole I helped carve and here goes. However, I know that others carve for charitable causes, too. I hope that others will share stories and pictures about how they've helped causes that interested them. Maybe we can all be inspired even more.

Here's my story. The Racine, Wisconsin area YMCA's are in fiscal difficulty and have decided to sell off camp Anokijig which consists of hundreds of acres of forest, lake frontage, horse stables, cabins, lodges, etc. They received the land through donations but without stipulation that it always remain undeveloped. Therefore, they are free to market it to the highest bidder.

Many individuals in this area and, I'm told, across the U.S. fondly remember camping at this location as kids. A non-profit group, Friends of Anokijig, was formed to raise funds to purchase the property and save the camp. This is no small task. They have had about 6 weeks to secure 6 - 8 million dollars (yes, million) for their bid.

While speaking to one of the camp staff, a local artist, Jan Drees, offered to carve a totem pole. However, due to its size and the time constraints she needed help and called on several Kettle Karvers. Together, we designed and carved the pole in about 1 week using mainly mallets and chisels. The pole is 10 ft. long, 14" in diameter, and was donated by a local log home company. After staining, the totem was painted in several hours. Total time, start to finish, just under 2 weeks.

There are 3 totems on the pole. The top represents spirit & wind and has the Anokijig logo on its chest. The middle is a fox representing earth. The bottom is a crocodile and fish representing water. All three of these are key elements of this camp.

There is a fund raiser dinner and auction this weekend. The totem is one of the auction items. We have no idea how much it will garner but regardless it has gone to a worthy cause and we enjoyed the challenge. Attached are some photos of the finished work. They aren't the greatest because it was still strapped to the boat trailer used to move it.

Kettle Karver

[wade clark]

Kettle Karver,
Beautiful totem! I sure sympathize with your cause and hope you're able to buy the property. Maybe the group of carvers and friends could be the high bidder on the totem, then install it at the camp.
Wade