The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to children with serious illnesses and their families through year-round programs celebrating the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood.
GOAL
To create ongoing Camp connections that build a joy-filled, inclusive community where children – and families in all the forms they come in – are not alone in their challenges and more than a diagnosis. All programming is intentionally designed to meet every individual’s unique needs and offered at no cost to families thanks to the generosity of others.
IMPACT
Through overnight camp experiences supported by a significant, yet unobtrusive medical presence as well as off-site Family and Hospital Outreach programming, Hole in the Wall serves thousands of children and family members annually throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
FOUNDER
A legendary actor and visionary philanthropist, Paul Newman founded The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 1988 so children with serious illnesses could just be kids, and “raise a little hell” while experiencing diverse and transformational friendships that go hand-in-hand with Camp. Paul’s innovative spirit, creativity and playfulness remain at the heart of all Hole in the Wall programming. His legacy is carried on each year by the thousands of donors, volunteers, staff and other friends who have made his dream their own.
2023 WILD BUNCH MEMBERS
TRI-STATE
Corinne Arnold
Brian Hogan
Caitlin Kenefick
Jill LeBlanc
Andrew Liggio
Mark Mager
Mark Rozelle
MASSACHUSETTS
Daniel Alperin
Greg Bottenhorn
Connor Hall
Benjamin Haywood
Marcus Kemblowski
Korreen Mortimer
William Mortimer
MID-ATLANTIC
Cindy Borger
Rose DiSanto
Nick Evageliou
Mary Frances McGuiness
Brian McKenna
Patrick McKenna
Stephen Starnes
from the CEO & Board Chair
Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, 2023 was a year filled with healing moments and exciting opportunities. We celebrated ribbon cuttings on the Creative Complex and new Playground, along with the groundbreaking on renovations in Maryland, providing new platforms where our children and families can let their creativity shine, leave their cares behind and find friends who understand. Our new Bereavement Program launched in the spring, creating healing avenues for families who have lost a child to serious illness to build connection and honor their children. And with the full return to traditional programming, including hospital-wide events in all of our Hospital Outreach Program regions along with seven-day sessions onsite at Camp, children and families found joy, hope and plenty of laughter to carry them through their most difficult times.
None of this would have been possible without our dedicated community of supporters, whose friendship allows us to dream the biggest dreams possible to ensure those most in need of “a different kind of healing” are able to find a home in Hole in the Wall. Thank you for being a part of this passionate group who share friendship, smiles and so much more with those we are so privileged to serve.
James Canton
Core Values
SAFETY
Ray Lamontagne
Our core values guide all activities & decision-making.
We keep physical and emotional safety at the heart of everything we do.
INCLUSION
We celebrate the individuality of all and stand against intolerance of any kind as a community defined by compassion, respect and equity.
FRIENDSHIP
We create lasting connections by mixing a little bit of mischief with plenty of love and laughter.
POSSIBILITY
We feel everyone inspired by Hole in the Wall should embrace the world of possibilities Camp has to offer.
GRATITUDE
We bring a grateful heart to every day and every opportunity we have to make a difference.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
In keeping with Camp’s Core Values, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp fosters a community of purposeful inclusion through a commitment to diversity and equity.
RIBBON CUTTINGS!
CREATIVE COMPLEX
In March, just over two years after a fire tragically destroyed the iconic building that housed arts & crafts, woodshop and the cooking zone, Hole in the Wall celebrated a new beginning with a ribbon cutting that officially opened the Creative Complex. We will be forever grateful for the friendship and generosity from our community, including significant gifts from Travelers, the Travelers Championship and Newman’s Own Foundation. It has been exciting to see what has arisen from the ashes – a space where Camp’s children and families could start building new memories while letting their creativity shine. The Creative Complex includes not only beautifully appointed rooms for arts & crafts, woodshop and the cooking zone, but also some brand-new spaces – a parent gathering place complete with a gas fireplace and a quiet sensory room with cozy chairs and bookcases flanking the walls. And with sustainability always in mind, the building also uses geothermal for heating and cooling, which will prevent 77 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
But perhaps the most significant part of the building is the centerpiece located in arts & crafts – a Camp-inspired mosaic comprised of more than 4,000 pieces representing the more than 4,000 donors whose gifts allowed for the construction of the new space. Created by professional mosaic artist and former summer staff and Hospital Outreach specialist, Mia Schon, the art captures the spirit of Hole in the Wall with symbols like stars, pine trees, sunflowers and more, pulled from the lore and history of Camp. It even has some hidden elements tucked away for campers to find within the piece and help get them excited about creating. It is truly a space to marvel at, and one that will inspire our campers for decades to come.
PLAYGROUND
On September 30, Camp friends gathered to commemorate the opening of the new inclusive playground at Hole in the Wall! Located on the field adjacent to archery, and near where the treehouse used to be situated, the new playground brings whimsy, fun and just a tiny bit of mischief into days at Camp.
The ceremonial ribbon cutting recognized the amazing contributors who supported the playground installation including Sherry Malone, David Shavor and The Lennox Foundation, and included a raising of the pirate flag in tribute to the flag Camp Founder Paul Newman flew over the treehouse.
Able to accommodate campers and family members of differing physical abilities and ages, the playground features monkey bars, swings, a seesaw, merry-go-round and more. All the equipment and the playground itself can be reached via a rubber matting that ensures both safety and accessibility for those who may have mobility challenges. It has already become a family favorite, and we are excited for many years of joy and laughter ahead.
MARYLAND GROUND BREAKING
Renovations on the Maryland location will include a welcoming entryway that invites families to come in and play.
RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY IN MARYLAND
In late August, 75 Camp friends old and new gathered to celebrate an important milestone – the groundbreaking on renovations at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp – Maryland. This celebratory moment brings Hole in the Wall one step closer to welcoming children and families to the new location and introduced a “hole” new community to the magic of Camp.
The day featured a short presentation, ceremonial “groundbreaking” and tour of the new space. The air was festive, and the excitement was palpable as guests learned more about the history of the property and plans for the future.
“All the magic, all the joy, all the friendship, all the support that we experience onsite in Connecticut will be replicated at this second Hole in the Wall location in Maryland,” said Camp CEO Jimmy Canton. “Thousands of lives will be changed, and that’s not only the children and families Camp will serve, but the thousands of volunteers, employees, donors and community members who will be reminded of what is most important in life – that we do everything we can to bring hope and love and healing to those who are in need.”
Existing buildings will be transformed into an inclusive and thoughtfully designed facility in the initial round of renovations, with peaceful and inviting spaces to support children, and their parents, caregivers and siblings. It will include a family space with a board game wall; a parent relaxation room where caregivers can enjoy rest and repose privately; a heated and accessible pool; a theater designed without potentially limiting stairs; temperature-controlled and fully accessible residential rooms; an infirmary; and more.
Phase two renovations will include a dining hall, makerspace creative arts area, expanded infirmary, Camper cabins, high ropes course, indoor pool and splash pad, greenhouse and more, with plans to start camper independent and concurrent parent and camper programming once the full site is complete.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Because of your generous friendship, in 2023, thousands of children with serious illnesses and family members found joy, hope and healing through Hole in the Wall’s year-round programs onsite, in hospitals and in camper homes and communities throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring “a different kind of healing” to these families when they need it most, and for your support, which allows us to do so. Read on to see more about your impact.
This summer, 465 children with serious illnesses and their siblings made friends, tried new things and discovered they are capable of so much more than they imagined during seven, week-long sessions. For the first time, healthy siblings joined their brother or sister at the same session at Camp.
“From the minute I arrived, Camp felt like it was my home away from home… my happy place. A place I could have fun, test my limits safely, learn a few new things and most importantly, meet kids who understand what I go through living with a chronic illness. At Camp, I met kids and Camp counselors like me who fight medical challenges, are differently abled, but who all wanted to just live our best lives in spite of everything we deal with. Camp gives us that chance and so much more.” – camper Taylor
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS MORE
In the spring and fall, 15 Family Weekends welcomed nearly 200 Wall for three days to relax, reconnect and rejoice in family time. This included Camp’s new Bereavement Program, which offered a space for families who have lost a child to serious illness to find connection and honor their loved one.
“Camp did a remarkable job creating such a safe place to be honest and share our children’s stories. We sat in sessions with eight other families and staff who we had never met before, and we talked about our children. We shared our feelings, our struggles and experiences. We cried as we shared and even laughed. What a relief it was to be open and raw in such nonjudgmental atmosphere.”
– Bereavement Program Participant Leslie
The Hospital Outreach Program (HOP)sm provided nearly 33,000 healing experiences in 34 partner locations across nine states and the District of Columbia. This included beside visits, playroom activities, hospital-wide events and the new gaming program, where children and their visitors can forget their medical challenges and enjoy time simply play.
does is magical. These people are joyous and can transform a hospital room into a space laughter and fun. There is nothing like seeing your child forget about everything and just laugh create for a little while.”
Parent of a HOP participant
The Family Outreach team created opportunities for families to experience a community of support among others who simply get it through parent programming that served more than 1,500 parents and caregivers, and CampOut events that reached nearly 1,200 children and family members.
“It has been the people we have met and interacted with who have made the journey so valuable and exciting each and every time we attend a Camp experience, either in person, online, at a restaurant, at a hotel or in our own home. We have gained so much in terms of being thankful for every opportunity that we are given and seizing the opportunities of each moment that we are involved with a Camp activity, that we are forever grateful for everyone at Camp!”
– Camper Dad Michael
None of this would have been possible without the support of more than 3,000 volunteers who generously gave their time, and 9,657 donors who provided critical financial support.
“When I’m involved in volunteering and sharing my time at Camp, I want to bring the joy and provide the best possible experience that I can for others, and to make sure they have an amazing experience at Camp. To be a part of that joy and laughter and be just really important to me.”
– Volunteer Alyse
223 FINANCIALS
We had another successful year at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 2023. Our incredible community of donors—including you—provided unforgettable experiences to more than 1,200 children and family members through our on-site programming and over 2,700 who were able to enjoy similar moments of joy in their own homes and communities. Thousands more in hospitals and clinics were given respite from their treatment and the chance to connect, laugh and be silly instead. Seventy-five percent of contributions received supported these programs and the balance was invested in the best professionals in the field to deliver them. We believe. You believe. Thank YOU for making it possible!
FINANCIAL RESULTS
SUPPORT & REVENUE EXPENSES
BENEFIT EVENTS
Camp’s incredible event attendees, sponsors, cochairs and supporters made serious magic happen 2023, raising an awesome $4.65 million for Hole in the Wall’s programs! Kicking off the year on April 1, the 29th Annual Beantown Bash returned to Boston Children’s Museum for the first time since 2019. More than 600 guests enjoyed interactive museum exhibits, family-friendly entertainment and appearances from Patriots players! A silent auction provided an opportunity for some spirited competition for items like Green Monster tickets at Fenway Park and trips to the Ocean Club Bahamas and Rosewood Bermuda, while guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert buffets, and a heated beer garden tent.
Then on June 5, the 21st Annual “Fore a Very Good Cause” Golf Tournament brought together more than 75 Camp friends at Brooklawn Country Club for 18 holes under sunny skies. After enjoying a hearty brunch, players hit the links, where they vied for closest to the pin, longest drive and closest to the fringe honors, while also flexing their skills in an attempt to earn the Poster Cup, which was presented to the first net and first gross foursomes. On course games and treats fueled players for their round, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner following play to close out the day.
Next up was Amp Up for Camp: A 35th Anniversary Fandango Benefit Gala Celebration, which took place at Hole in the Wall on September 30. A little rain didn’t keep more than 250 Camp friends from enjoying a full-day of festivities including tasty treats, music by Nine6Teen, a photo booth and awesome silent auction featuring a variety of incredible items
such as a collection of Camp sketches drawn by a Hole in the Wall Camper. The live auction emceed by journalist and longtime Camp friend Brian Williams featured experiences like a buyout of the Granville House in Massachusetts and getaway to a private villa in Turks & Caicos. Then it was time for the inspiring Fandango performance, featuring eight talented campers – Abby, Hannah, Jackson, Jaidyn, Janiyah, Nate, Sky performing alongside a host of celebrity friends in a radio show-themed performance that brought down the house. After the show, celebrations continued into the night with a dinner buffet, s’mores bar, Whey Grilled Cheese and live music.
the 32nd Annual Big Apple Bash returned to Green in New York City on November 11.
450 guests were treated to themed beach, jungle, and retro rooms throughout the venue, which featured cocktails and mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and dinner buffets. courtyard tent and mainstage spotlighted a variety of performances including a Ringmaster extraordinaire, jugglers, and contortionists from Omnium Circus, and Shake & Roll dueling pianists. Balloonologists, caricaturists, and crafts rounded out the offerings in the Kid Zone, kept guests dancing into the night.
IT WAS A MATCH… IT WAS A MONSTER MATCH
Last October, Hole in the Wall hosted its first ever giving day – the Monster Match. It was a MONSTER success, thanks to the more than 300 donors who helped Camp exceed its $50,000 goal, raising an astounding $96,960! With a spooky social media presence and fun give-aways for donors, the day rallied our community around our children and families, helping to share “a different kind of healing” with families of children most in need of Hole in the Wall.
Corporate Partner Profile SPTLIGHT
The partnership between DMi Partners and Hole in the Wall goes way back to when company founder, Pat McKenna, joined Camp’s summer staff while still in college. While there, he fell in love with the mission, and found the love of his life, who he later married.
Pat continued to be involved over the years, volunteering in the Summer Program and at Family Weekends, while his wife, Michele “Gill” McKenna became Camp’s director of Hospital Outreach. And when DMi opened in 2003, it also began supporting Camp, sharing both funding and time.
“I am in awe of my wife and the work she does to find new, innovative ways to deliver Camp for kids and families who need it most,” Pat said. “Hole in the Wall is an organization that is about feeling good and making magic. For us, there is a lot of shared positive energy that we take away and also share with others. We have had volunteers at every Camp Week at CHOP. And, as a marketing organization we help spread the word because it is important for us to raise awareness of Camp as place to support.”
It’s all a part of “DMi Cares,” DMi’s commitment to giving back and being active members of the community. Each employee has two service days annually to use with organizations they care about. Many choose to use those days to support Hole in the Wall, and the company sometimes hosts volunteer opportunities right in their office, building slime kits for the Philadelphia Hospital Outreach team to distribute during Camp Week.
“We are so grateful to DMi Partners for taking Camp’s mission to heart and being such passionate champions for our children and families,” said Andrea Keefe, director of corporate and foundation relations at Hole in the Wall.
“Their friendship has had a significant impact in Philadelphia and beyond, bringing joy and hope to children with serious illnesses and their families”
FUNRaisers SPTLIGHT
For Katie Chandler, supporting Hole in the Wall is a family affair. Her older sister Kristen had attended Camp as a teen, and the experience stuck with the family, even after Kristen passed away shortly after her session. Years later, Katie’s younger sister, Megan, decided she wanted to run the Boston Marathon to support Hole in the Wall, following a summer as a counselor, but was concerned about reaching her fundraising minimum for the event. That’s where Katie stepped in.
“I told her to just do it,” Katie said. “I had a small sewing business and had recently decided to start selling clothes. I said, ‘let’s have a fashion show,’ ordered all the inventory, made an invitation and invited all of my neighbors and friends. Our first show was a success, and everyone had a blast. And it was pretty special to sell unique clothes that invited compliments, offering a way for guests to share how their items were supporting Hole in the Wall.”
After that first show in 2021, Katie decided to grow her efforts, adding sponsorship opportunities and raffles.
Soon the show outgrew her driveway, and Katie moved it to a local church, which could host more guests and provide flexibility with backstage dressing rooms and a commercial kitchen, while also allowing the show to go on, even if the weather was less than cooperative.
The fashion show has become a huge community event, with donations pouring in from across local businesses and nearly 200 people in attendance in 2023.
“It’s just so special for me,” Katie said. “Working on the show, I’m thinking about my sister. The whole event is a team effort. My oldest daughter helps me pick out all of the inventory and prepare everything for the show. We have around 80 volunteers, including my whole family - my sister has flown in for four of the five shows, my husband, boys, brothers and mom serve food and drinks, and help with all the last-minute needs. I wouldn’t be able to do it without our amazing team and my family’s support.”
We are so grateful to Katie and all of our generous FUNraisers, who share their time, talents and communities to support Hole in the Wall.
Founder's Society SPTLIGHT
For Thomas Buono, Hole in the Wall holds a special place in his heart. Though his daughter, Melissa, had only attended Camp once, it had a lasting impact on the family. His two sons went on to attend sibling session for several years as well, finding support and friendship after Melissa passed away in 1993.
“Our whole family was affected by Melissa’s illness, and the experience we had at Camp has stayed with me since that time,” Tom shared. “It is difficult for me to convey my sense of utter gratitude for what the Camp did for Melissa. Those memories are priceless and last to this day.”
Over the years, Tom has continued to be involved with Hole in the Wall in a variety of ways, participating in the Annual Camp Challenge as well as donating funds. When he learned about the Founder’s Society and the opportunity to include Hole in the Wall in his estate plan, he decided it would be a meaningful opportunity for his family.
“After Melissa passed away, a scholarship was created in her name,” Tom said. “I have no doubt that after I pass, my family would support donating the remainder of those funds to Hole in the Wall. I wanted to donate in a way my sons would relate to.”
We are grateful to Tom and all of our Founder’s Society members, who, in including Camp in their estate plan, are creating a legacy of lasting support for children and families in need of the hope and healing of Hole in the Wall.
Milestone Award
Recipients
The Milestone Award celebrates donors who reach $100,000 in cumulative giving to Hole in the Wall.
Barrett Distribution Centers
Virginia Brody
Jennifer & Erich Buddenhagen
Cahalane Family
Del-Val Food Ingredients
Robert A. Facchina
Lamb Family Foundation
The Leonard & Robert
Weintraub Family Foundation
MacDermid Graphics
Solutions
Owens-Illinois
Roger Sachs
Taghleef Industries
Truline Corporation
The Y.C. Ho Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation
Campfire Partner SPTLIGHT
MEET CAMPFIRE PARTNER NAIHOMY
In 2005, Naihomy Jerez joined the summer staff at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and her life was changed.
Seeing how the children were able to find joy at Camp and having the opportunity to care for them gave her a new perspective on life that she relishes to this day.
“That summer being a Camp counselor really, really changed me – for the better.” Naihomy shared. “It just gave me a lot more perspective and a lot more empathy when I learned how to create a world for someone else to enjoy their life. I was so young, and it was one of the highlights in my life where I saw something different and people being cared for in a different way.”
Naihomy looks forward to the day she can return to the cabins to volunteer, but as a parent of young children, she has found other ways to keep Camp close to her heart and supports Hole in the Wall’s mission as a Campfire Partner. By being a monthly donor, Naihomy, and all of the Campfire Partners, ensures a steady and reliable source of funding that allows Hole in the Wall to provide joy and friendship to children all year long.
“I know that there is a lot of money that goes to running this place to keep it going and beautiful and well-staffed,” Naihomy said about why she became a Campfire Partner. “I wanted to contribute in some sort of way. I feel good. Something that I really enjoyed is that the campers come from all over and different communities and that was important for me to see as well.”
Hole in the Wall is grateful to Naihomy and all of our Campfire Partners for their sustaining friendship that brings so many smiles to those who need it most.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Annual Report 2023 is published by The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
