Media Contact:
Willow Ann Sirch
Communciations Director
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
(203) 772-0522 (w)
(203) 285-0050 (c)
willow.sirch@holeinthewallgang.org
Tenth Annual Polo for Children Event Celebrates Paul Newman’s Camp
New Haven, Connecticut – June 16, 2011 – The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s Tenth Annual Polo for Children Event held on Sunday, June 5 was a huge celebration of Paul Newman’s special camp in Ashford, Connecticut for children with cancer and other serious illnesses. The event raised more than $800,000 for the Camp, which provides all of its services free of charge to seriously ill children and their families.
Event Co-chairs Leah Rukeyser, Kate Eichel and Jean Doyen de Montaillou led an enthusiastic committee in putting together this signature event that celebrates the business and social worlds of Connecticut and New York. Actors Glenn Close and James Naughton presided over the event’s live auction, along with Melissa S. Newman, daughter of the camp’s founder, all of whom periodically broke into impromptu songs to the delight of attendees. Eight-year-old camper Lily Restivo stole the show, sharing her experiences as a camper and her infectious love of Camp. While adults enjoyed a gourmet lunch, and silent and live auctions, children were entertained by Camp counselors and clowns with games, activities and lunch in the children’s tent. The day culminated in a high-stakes polo match for all. More than 275 adults and 100 children attended.
The event served to highlight the critical partnership of corporate sponsors, including The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which celebrated the event's 10th anniversary by helping to send ten children to Camp entirely free of charge. "We were very pleased to celebrate the great work of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at this very special event,” said Michael Lyublinsky, Co-Head of Global Banking & Markets, Americas at RBS, who was among the 40 RBS employees and guests in attendance. "The Camp's mission aligns directly with our philanthropic support of assisting youth and children in need throughout the communities in which we work and live."
"RBS has been a strong supporter of the Camp and represents a corporate partner committed to giving back on many levels,” said James Canton, Chief Executive Officer of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. "Beyond their support of our Polo for Children Benefit, RBS has actively supported the Camp across a variety of charitable activities over the years and RBS employees continue to be engaged as Camp volunteers and Team Hole in the Wall athletes.”
About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a nonprofit, year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other serious illnesses. Through summer sessions and family weekend programs at the Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, the Camp will serve more than 17,500 children in 2011. All services are provided free of charge.
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