Dear friends;
As many of you know, Coppercreek tragically lost one of our Directors — Lauren (Lornie) Lindskog Allen — last week. We are deeply saddened by her passing, and we dearly miss her, every day.
We wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who have reached out to us, directly or over social media, sending us love, comfort, and support. On behalf of Lauren’s family, including her daughter, Sutter, who has grown up at camp, and Lornie’s long-time sweetie, Jared, we thank you for the cards, notes, e-mails, and phone calls so many of you have sent. Your words have helped buoy our heavy hearts more than we can describe.
Coppercreek Camp was founded by Lornie’s parents – John Lindskog and Lynne Evarts – and was a fixture in Lauren’s life from the time she was a toddler. She was present at camp for 48 summers, as a camper, CIT, cabin counselor, riding instructor, and camp owner-director. She was the founder of our TREK program, and was the driving force behind the beauty and breadth of our equestrian center and programs.
We know that Lornie’s light will continue to shine through Coppercreek and through all of the campers whose lives she touched over the years. We look forward to spending our 51st summer laughing and playing and singing and dancing as before, even if, on occasion, we do so with tears in our eyes. For the summer of 2015, we all — Becky and Craig Hogland, and Lornie’s daughter, Sutter Allen — plan to welcome our campers with open arms. Lornie would have wanted the joy, laughter and magic of Coppercreek to continue as it always has.
Nothing we can write can adequately capture Lauren’s generosity of spirit, kindness of heart, or bright sense of adventure. She saw the good, special, and most essential parts of all of us, and by so doing, helped us to see the good in ourselves. She was a steward for Mother Nature, and an advocate for animals of every kind; she believed that family is more than flesh and blood, that we all need community, and that we have a responsibility to look after one another however we can. We are determined to live all the things she taught us, and to do so with joy, this summer.
Many of you have asked about ways to contribute to the Coppercreek legacy. We are so grateful for, and humbled by, your generosity. To honour Lauren’s life, contributions can be made to the Coppercreek Benefit account, via paypal , or by mail to Plumas Bank, P.O. Box 612, Greenville CA, 95947.
Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lake, from the hills, from the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.
Fly with the Eagles, Lauren! Your love and amazing heart have inspired us all. My thanks to Jiggy for bringing us closer and to all the horses (and people) that shared and inspired our friendship. What a village you created! One that will support and love Sutter forever. As I said before, my heart is broken and I miss you!
I am sad to receive this news. Lornie was a good friend to me at camp and made my first summer so special in many ways. I will miss her deeply!! May God keep her in His care. I will thank Him every time I remember her!
Lornie,
It’s been near 40 years that I’ve known you from camp, TREK, your prom, rafting, and just about all the other fun and crazy things we did, including dating, in between. I really wish that this was just your best joke on me as I know I’m still up on you and it would my pleasure to concede that we we’re at least even.
You made incredible impressions on each of my kids, when they were at camp, and on my brothers, mom and my wife. You are tattooed onto my soul. I’m going to miss your laugh, your writing, your gestures and our occasional phones calls catching up on each others lives and camp.
This tragedy has prompted me to connect with old camp friends that I might have overlooked for a few more years and drove me to investigate those old letters from days gone by and that includes your brother MIke.
I look forward to reconnecting with old friends, but wish it was for a better reason.
You are, were, and will always be a good friend,
jeff
Lornie: You made a difference in my life (as a camper in the ’70s) and in my daughters’ lives (campers in the ’90s). You are missed.
Lornie,
The day I met you changed my life. All that I am, all that I have done, and all that I will do in life has been paved by Coppercreek and you.