Birthday Card Ministry

Camp Li-Lo-Li started in 1953 after a group of men from western New York had a vision for a Christian children’s camp. The Lord directed their steps and Camp Li-Lo-Li was formed in 1953!

For many years, David Stiefler from Blasdell, NY became the speaker for the summer camp sessions. He used unique flannel board pictures to tell the Bible stories, and at the end, a blacklight bulb turned on to reveal a special picture within the pictures that was not visible without it. He also ran the craft cabin each week and got to know many of the campers and staff. He became affectionately known as “Uncle Dave” to many who knew him.

At some point, no one can remember when for sure, Uncle Dave started sending birthday cards to all the campers at camp. Before all the technology available to us today, he was able to track all the names, addresses, and birthdays! This eventually expanded to include staff members and family campers!

During the off season he traveled to churches in the US and into Ontario, Canada using his flannel board to share the Bible stories during special services for children and families. Throughout the service he awarded points and gave out prizes, similar to camp. He later married, and his wife, Ruth, joined him in this ministry, playing the piano and handling all the prizes and tickets, and she also became involved in the birthday card ministry.

As they traveled throughout the year doing their Bible story services, the birthday cards traveled with them. They worked hard to mail the cards so that they would arrive close to each birthday. The cards would include bookmarks and Bible verse cards too! Dave and Ruth would intentionally choose bookmarks and verses specific to each camper. For many years, they not only handled all the logistics of this growing ministry, but the expense as well.