BAKERSFIELD — Rain or shine, the Lucas James Williams Memorial Youth Fund is dedicated to providing area kids the space to be themselves and to have fun. In the coming months, the fund is looking to raise $20,000 to enclose its pavilion with partial siding and sliding barn doors so it can continue to host youth activities during inclement weather. Started by Rosalie Williams more than 20 years ago, the youth fund honors Williams’ son, a U.
S. Marine who died during a training exercise in Kuwait in 1998. “I just never thought anybody would benefit from Lucas dying,” Williams told the Messenger.
“But thousands and thousands have.” Since its founding, the fund has acquired more than 10 acres of land off of Waterville Mountain Road in Bakersfield. In 2019, the pavilion was built at the site, providing a structured space for events.
Gov. Phil Scott was there for its unveiling. All-year round, Williams welcomes students from area schools for full days of fun.
Campers use their imaginations to come up with their own games to play and help cook meals for their peers. “I do not believe in entertaining youth,” Williams said. “Have you ever bought your child a toy, and after 40 minutes, they're playing with the box? This property is an open box, and as long as they can use their mind and think of something to do, they will never be bored.
I've never heard a young person say they were bored there, and they keep asking to come back.” Toward the fundraising goal, the fund has already received several donations, including almost $9,000 from the Franklin County chapter of 100 Women Who Care, $750 from the St. Albans Rotary Club and a donation from the Garibay family.
“We are very happy to donate to the Lucas James Williams Memorial Fund that helps children all year-round,” said Rotary donor chair Valdemar Garibay, on behalf of the club. “Visiting the camp during the earlier part of the summer, it was evident how much Rosalie cares for the campers and improving the campers’ educational experience. The camp is fun, has many activities and teaches life skills.
” “We are so glad to support the LJ Memorial fund for the improvement of their facilities,” said Bridge Gairbay, on behalf of her family’s donation. “We were so touched by how Rosalie has taken her tremendous loss and turned it into such a huge benefit for so many children. She is an inspiration, and we know her work gives necessary education and fond memories to so many kids.
” Cross Consulting Engineers has also donated the engineering plan for the renovated pavilion. Kids stand outside the Lucas James Williams Memorial Youth Fund pavilion after a hunter education course in 2023. The fund is raising money to partially enclose the pavilion so activities can continue rain or shine.
In addition to the summer and after-school camps, the fund also hosts hunter education classes, volleyball tournaments, a finishing derby, sledding parties and more. Williams recalled a day this summer when kids gathered under the pavilion after arriving off the bus. As she was sharing the camp rules and expectations, she overheard a group of boys say they thought the place was “lame.
” “So I turned to all the kids and said, “This place is here for kids to have fun. At the end of the day, you're not going to want to go home,’” Williams recalled. Later, she walked over to that same group of boys and asked them how their day was.
They said: “We don’t want to leave.” To Williams, that was beautiful, and perfectly exhibited what her son Lucas had wanted for area kids. “I’m so proud of this because Lucas' dreams are coming true,” she said.
“He wanted a place for kids to go and have fun and be safe...
and it's happening without me even really doing anything or trying.”.
