KOA Convention Raises Over $220K for Care Camps – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News

BILLINGS, Mont. – Care Camps officials are pleased to announce fundraising efforts during Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA) Annual Convention in November raised $221,774, according to a release. Care Camps is a national non-profit organization that funds pediatric oncology camps across the United States and Canada.  Their mission is to bring the healing power of community and the outdoors to children living with cancer and their families. Care Camps’ legacy began 39 years ago by a caring group of KOA campground owners who began fundraising to support local pediatric oncology camps. Today, KOA Inc, and KOA campgrounds collectively continue to be Care Camps largest donor and this year alone have raised over one million dollars, in addition to the Convention total.

Gwynn Sullivan

“We are deeply grateful for KOA’s legacy partnership,” said Gwynn Sullivan, Care Camps Executive Director. “They ignited our charity from the grassroots and have remained steadfast and committed in their support in many ways beyond monetarily. The opportunity to celebrate our partnership at their Annual Convention is one of the highlights of our year.” Fundraising initiatives at this year’s KOA Convention included raffle ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and a dinner celebration. The most popular live auction item was a “Meet Me in Montana” package generously donated by the KOA Inc. executive team. Winning bidders rallied a total of $52,000 for the opportunity to have a personalized tour of the new KOA Inc. headquarters in Billings, a catered dinner with the KOA executive team, and the opportunity to participate in their “Fore the Kids” annual golf tournament fundraiser for Care Camps that will be held Sept. 16, 2024. “KOA truly understands the value of connecting people to the outdoors. And for children living with cancer, it’s a gift that keeps on giving,” Sullivan added. “Their camp experience gives these children an experience that has a lasting impact on their lives as well as their family and many more.” In 2023 Care Camps funded over 120 pediatric oncology camps across the U.S. and Canada. Together the camps provided hundreds of programs that touch the lives of thousands of children living with cancer, and their families. To learn more, donate and be inspired, visit carecamps.org.

Wade Elliott

Care Camps Board Member Wade Elliott Steps Down This release comes at a time when well known campground industry supplier Wade Elliott, founder of Utility Supply Group, a national source of electrical products and components for RV parks and campgrounds, is following through with his announced plans to step down as long-term chairman of the Care Camps board of directors. It’s a position that Elliott, now retired, called a “milestone in my life” in a touching Monday (Dec. 18) memo to the board. “I am thankful that an old friend long ago told me, ‘Wade, you should come work with this group that wants to help kids with cancer,’” Elliott wrote. “This board works when (and because) varying comments, ideas and opinions are offered and considered. I am sure you recall me saying, ‘If everyone thought the same way, we wouldn’t need a board,’” he continued. “Be sure you consider your fiduciary duty, fundraising ideas and heart when providing input to the board. Also be sure you consider these inputs are listened to and given due deliberation.”  

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/koa-convention-raises-over-220k-for-care-camps/