Dear friends,
Over the past year, we saw increases in the numbers of campers and families served on site, at homes and in hospitals. Our Founder, Paul Newman, would be so pleased and proud of Hole in the Wall’s determination to reach more children and families in need.
This month, as we celebrate Paul’s 100th birthday, I am reminded of the purity of his vision—to pay forward our good fortune by lending hand to someone less fortunate and that laughter and friendship are, indeed, the best medicine. He also knew from Camp’s earliest days that his reach would be limited, and we would need a community to carry the good work forward. He couldn’t have been more accurate.
While it was Paul’s compassionate and visionary heart that dreamed of the joyful healing that Camp would provide, it is the unwavering trust, dedication and generosity of the Camp community that have always propelled our mission forward.
This momentum will carry us into the year ahead as we bring magical and life-changing experiences to thousands more children with serious illnesses and their families. Thank you for your kindness, commitment and partnership in this journey to provide “a different kind of healing” to so many.
With deepest gratitude,
Jimmy Canton CEO, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
8,667 donors made 13,365 gifts totaling volunteers donated 93,595 hours of time
children and family members enjoyed on-site programming at our Conn. location
exceptional summer staff members from states and countries
Family Outreach Participants served through regional events, home visits and retreats healing Hospital Outreach Program experiences provided through partner locations 36,755 3,196 34 2,270 81 17 5 $13,718,694 3,797
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to thousands of children with serious illnesses 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 dozens of hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
for a special video from Dexter! Scan here
A legacy of
Actor and former camper Dexter Darden reflects on Paul Newman’s legacy and sharing gratitude.
One of my favorite quotes from Hamilton is “Legacy. What is a legacy?
It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” When I think of Paul Newman, a man who had such a long life, who accomplished so many great things, who saw so much of his work get recognized and praised the way that it should, I hope the legacy he is remembered for is how he made people feel and the way he lived his life on this earth.
Very rarely do you get the chance to meet and idolize somebody who is as gifted with his talents as he is with his heart and his mind. I remember talking with Paul about what it meant to be a camper. And he asked me what my favorite things to do were and he, for such this Herculean figure, to take his time to just sit on the dock fishing and talk about my favorite experience at Camp. I didn’t really understand it at the time, but the gratitude that I now feel in my heart is overwhelming, and it’s almost humbling to the point where it truly leaves me speechless.
I’m also grateful to all of the donors who are still keeping that legacy thriving. It’s really easy to keep a non-profit like Camp going when a tycoon like Paul Newman is alive and running it. But now it’s the people who still show up that are keeping the legacy alive. I just want to say, thank you for keeping hope alive, thank you for continuing Paul’s dream and thank you for keeping Camp running so people like me can keep coming back.
At Camp, we can just have fun and instantly get each other, without ever having to talk about it. We can just steal the flag of our rival cabin and tape our counselor’s face on it. We can just eat pancakes in the dining hall. We can just cheer each other on at the rock wall. We can just have fun.
As a parent it lifts my spirits to see her interacting and participating. We laugh and forget about our situation for a while. My daughter has experienced several extended stays in the hospital recently and HOP allows her to take a break from procedures and anxiety and just be a normal kid for a bit.
–
HOP Participant Parent
Camp is a place where our entire family can go and feel like we belong, we are special, we are supported, and we can be ourselves and enjoy our time together.
