More than 300 Athletes and Volunteers Raise More than $175,000 to Support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at 10th Annual Camp Challenge
The Simon Konover Company Leads the Charge, Contributing More Than $1 Million Since the Event’s Inception
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Sept. 18, 2018 – More than 300 athletes and volunteers joined forces to support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at the 10th Annual Camp Challenge, which took place Saturday, September 15. Featuring cycling, running and Grit ‘N Wit options, Camp Challenge has raised $175,000 this year for Hole in the Wall’s growing programs, and nearly $2.3 million total in its 10 years.
Involved since the very beginning, The Simon Konover Company has contributed more than $1 million over the years and boasts extensive employee support at all levels of the company. “Team Simon Konover is an extraordinary group of employees, partners, colleagues and friends who share a common commitment to these children and this organization,” said James Wakim, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Simon Konover Company. “We are proud to continue Simon Konover’s legacy of giving back and grateful for the generosity of every team member.”
Camp Challenge featured 15- and 30-mile rides that started and ended at the Camp in Ashford, Conn., a 5K that wound through Camp trails, and a Grit ‘N Wit adventure race designed to test participants’ brains and brawn.
The event supported Hole in the Wall, which provides “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families through a variety of year-round programming. The Camp’s Hospital Outreach® program brings the joy of Camp to seriously ill children in more than 40 locations throughout the Northeast while Family Outreach programs provide the hope and healing of Camp to camper families in their homes and hometowns. All of the Camp’s services are free of charge.
“Camp Challenge is all about celebrating community, active-lifestyles and giving back,” said Andrea Keefe, Camp’s manager, Peer-to-Peer programs. “We are inspired by the generosity and loyalty of our longstanding corporate partners, like The Simon Konover Company, who have been instrumental in the event’s success, as well as the many participants who return year after year.”
The event concluded with a festival featuring music, food and entertainment. It was a rare opportunity for participants and their guests to visit the Camp and enjoy Camp activities and tours. Additional Camp Challenge sponsors included AETNA, Nestlé Waters North America and Poland Spring.
About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 20,000 seriously ill children and family members annually – all completely free of charge. For many of these children and families, Hole in the Wall provides multiple Camp experiences throughout the year at the facility in Ashford, Conn., in more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast. For more information, visit http://www.holeinthewallgang.org.
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