Author: Jessie M

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Connection for the “Hole” Family

11/15/2025

It truly takes a village to make one inspiring camper family’s story possible 

Camper mom Cindy’s story begins in 2002, when she decided it was time to become a mom and adopt a child who needed a family. With the support of her family, she looked into where there was great need, and was led to China, where she adopted her first daughter, Katelyn, and decided then and there that she would come back to volunteer at the orphanage as a way of expressing her gratitude. 

Over her years returning to China, Cindy again and again opened her heart to other children in need of homes – first a child awaiting surgery for a congenital heart defect. Then a child with Thalassemia, and another child with Thalassemia, starting her own organization specifically to support children with the diagnosis along the way. And then finally, in 2015, she completed her family, adopting a child who faced so many health challenges, they almost wouldn’t let her on the plane to come home to the United States. 

Through it all, Cindy surrounded herself with a village of support who made her incredible adoption journey possible and who have helped her navigate the challenges she experienced as a single mother to five children – three of whom faced ongoing health challenges. From the community rallying to her side financially, to Boston Children’s Hospital’s continued advice and medical care, to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp programs, the outpouring from those around her ensured Cindy had the tools she needed for her children. 

The family first learned about Hole in the Wall while receiving treatment at Boston Children’s, where they met Hospital Outreach specialist Jeremiah. His crafts, games and good humor were welcome distractions from the monotony of treatment, something the girls could look forward to. 

“When we saw him, you would swear Santa walked through the door because the kids were so excited,” Cindy shared. “He had all these different activities to do, and it made transfusions easier.” 

Jeremiah was the first one to mention Hole in the Wall’s summer program to the family. But then COVID happened, and the idea of summer Camp quickly fell off the radar. It wasn’t until a few years later, when their social worker mentioned Camp again, that the family’s interest was piqued. In 2023, her daughters Mia and Hannah attended a summer session. 

And the next year, when Cindy learned that her youngest daughter Sariah could also come to Camp, the family attended a Family Weekend together to get Sariah comfortable. She couldn’t wait to go back. So in the summer of 2025, Sariah came to Camp for her first summer session, where she met Sylvie, another camper, also adopted from China, with the same diagnosis. 

“There was just this unspoken commonality both being from China; both being adopted; and both having a liver transplant,” Cindy said. “I don’t even think I can put it into words just how meaningful it was. It’s remarkable because they feel like they are not alone in the world with what they’ve gone through and what they are continuing to go through. And they can just be kids, and I don’t need to think about the medications and who is going to make sure that happens. It’s all taken care of, and I don’t need to worry.” 

And while Sariah and Hannah were at Hole in the Wall this summer, Cindy not only got a break from worrying about who was taking care of her children’s care, she also got some TLC for herself when she attended a Parent and Caregiver Retreat Weekend. 

“That was just a complete unexpected gift to be able to go and be with the parents,” Cindy said. “It was funny, and we cried, and we ate, and we laughed, and we ate, and it was unreal. I just have this enormous amount of gratitude for what you guys do in thinking about the whole family.” 

Learn more about how Hole in the Wall provides wrap-around support to each member of the family and explore our programs.

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Important Message from Jimmy Canton

10/20/2025 by Jimmy Canton

Dear Friends,

For the past 23 years, I have had the immense privilege to offer direction for this magical and sacred organization in the role of chief executive officer. And, it has been THIRTY-EIGHT extraordinary years that I have been inspired daily by the brave children and families we serve.

I have sometimes wondered when the right time for me would be to step away from Camp. I have neither wanted to “overstay my welcome” nor lack the necessary skills that the Camp needs from an effective CEO. These ruminations have always been fraught, but now, as I ask those same questions, my heart is peaceful. As my mother would say, “timing is everything,” and I know the time is right for me to thank all of you and to retire from Hole in the Wall.

I recently shared my decision with our Board of Directors and my colleagues. Allowing the Board adequate time to reflect on the changing organizational needs for a new CEO while not creating a “long goodbye,” I have proposed my last day will be May 31, 2026. I believe this will provide ample time to ensure a smooth, successful CEO transition.

Some have asked what my plans are for the future – spending more time with my son to savor the years we have left with him at home will be my primary focus and joy.

Every bit of growth that Camp has experienced over the years to serve more children and families in new and deeper ways has given me so much joy and pride, and I am absolutely THRILLED with our current plans to expand Camp’s healing impact into the Mid-Atlantic region. I will elatedly be volunteering at our first Maryland Family Camp in May 2026.

Friends, if I tied my retirement to a moment of quiet, I’d never leave. Camp always should be growing, exploring new ways to bring joy, connection, hope and peace to children with serious illnesses and their loved ones.

The first time I met our Founder Paul Newman, he toasted the summer staff in the dining hall the night before our first campers arrived. He held up a glass of Newman’s Own lemonade and said, “I’ve taken it this far. You take it from here. Raise a little hell.” What an indescribable privilege it has been to be a part of the movement that took it from

there. The need for future leaders and champions will never cease as Hole in the Wall carries on Paul’s entrepreneurial spirit to bring healing to those we are so privileged serve. I have been riding that wave for nearly four decades. What a joy, purpose and honor. My heart is filled with gratitude.

I’ve helped to take it this far. You take it from here. Raise a little hell, a lot of joy and even more love.

Most sincerely,

Jimmy

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Hole in the Wall Gang Camp on track to open May 2026

8/15/2025

An article from the Bay Times and Record Observer… Nestled in the scenic landscape of Queenstown, expansion of Paul Newman’s vision for a camp for children with serious illnesses comes closer to fruition, with renovations well underway.

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A man in a leather jacket stands on a wooden balcony, smiling, with one hand on the railing and a large banner displayed behind him. A microphone is attached to the railing in front of him.

Reflecting on Paul’s Impact to Celebrate His 100th Birthday

6/15/2025 by James H. Canton, former Camp CEO

“I wanted, I think, to acknowledge luck; the chance of it, the benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, made especially savage for children because they may not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it.” — Paul Newman on why he started The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp 

As I reminisce about Paul Newman on what would have been his 100th birthday, I am reminded of the purity of his vision – to pay forward good fortune by lending a hand to someone less fortunate. 

Indeed, Paul lived a life informed by his recognition of luck – but greater than that was his motivation to act on that acknowledgment, and truly make a difference. He was a tireless example of doing right, allowing others to see in him the qualities they would like to develop in themselves. 

Nowhere was this clearer than at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Paul was always aware of wanted to even the scales and provide children who were negatively impacted by factors out of their control the opportunity to simply have fun and be surrounded by friends who understood. 

Since then, hundreds of thousands of children and family members have found joy, hope and healing thanks to Paul’s selflessness and inspirational dream, and many more will be impacted in the years ahead. 

Over the years that I knew him, Paul was passionately involved at Camp, delighting in the joys that campers and their families experienced. He reveled in fishing with campers, though was known for never catching a fish while at Camp, and quietly listened in the Dining Hall as children shared their favorite activities and love for Hole in the Wall. 

And he was a brilliant leader, empowering, inspiring and trusting others to steward the success of his dream. All of us at Camp remain profoundly grateful for the examples of compassion, humility, loyalty, mischief and leadership that he left behind. 

To have someone of that celebrity and that influence be so humble and so committed to creating something so special — how extraordinary; what a legacy he left. 

If you’d like to help carry the inspiring torch Paul left behind, consider joining Camp as a volunteer or leaving a lasting legacy.

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HOP On The Go: Hazel’s Story

6/15/2025 by Beth Starkin

When three-year-old Hazel was diagnosed with cancer, her, and her family’s, world was turned upside down. The once energetic and creative little girl’s days went from playing and activities to hospital stays and clinic visits. 

But once the family met Bailey, a specialist with Camp’s Hospital Outreach Program (HOP)TM, they had something to look forward to during their time in the hospital. Later, once Hazel began receiving treatment at the clinic, she formed a close bond with HOP specialist Emma. 

“In the beginning, she was going to clinic four or five days a week, and it’s monotonous, and it’s hard, and it hurts,” mom Jaime said. “And those days when Emma was there, she was excited. Having that time to move in a joyous way and not in a horrible way, it was…the best.” 

Hazel looked forward to those visits so much that the nurses would use them to help her get through challenging treatments. Emma had a unique ability to understand Hazel and met her with tailored projects, which sparked Hazel’s interest. 

“When I’m meeting a new family, it’s always delicate because you have to remember that they are in a challenging situation,” Emma said of her approach to working with families. “You want to be the person that brings some joy and some light into the room, and you want to show the family that you’re there for what they need. You come in offering a craft or a game, and then that is the way to build that relationship, because the connections are the most special part of HOP.” 

Over Hazel’s nearly three years of treatment, the duo have created everything from a self portrait to slime. But the day they made Marcel the Shell stands out as a favorite for both Emma and Hazel. 

“Hazel was obsessed with Marcel the Shell, and she and Emma were talking about it,” said Jaime. “Emma ordered shells and googley eyes and little sneakers, and she brought it to Hazel and said, ‘do you want to make a Marcel the Shell with Shoes on?’ She listened and understood and went the extra mile. So that was a big deal. And we still have that.” 

For Emma, being creative with Hazel has just as much of an impact on her. 

“That was what was special about my relationship with Hazel,” Emma said. “I was always learning new things from her, or she would come up with a fun craft idea. I would do it with the rest of the kids in clinic. And they would go, ‘this craft is so fun,’ and I’d tell them, ‘my friend taught me.’” 

Learn more about how HOP connections are bringing joy to children during some of their most challenging times here.

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Family Flats: Jodeci and Jazz

6/15/2025 by Beth Starkin

There is something special about sharing experiences from your childhood with your children, hoping they can glean just a bit of the magic you felt. For former camper Jodeci, it was especially impactful when he was able to share his Hole in the Wall experience with his son, Jazz, who came to Camp for the first time last summer. 

“I wanted him to experience summers seeing other people with sickle cell enjoying summer just like him,” Jodeci said. “Camp was a good opportunity for me. It’s great to be around those who are similar to you and know what you are going through. The bonds you make with people in similar situations is good.” 

Jodeci delighted in seeing his son follow in his footsteps to step out of his comfort zone at Camp. Both father and son were able to break through their shyness to lead cabin chants and try new things. And in the fall, the entire family got to enjoy Hole in the Wall together at a Family Weekend, which included a race between Jodeci and Jazz down the zipline. 

“I think I was faster,” Jazz shared. “I go really fast.”  

For Jodeci, the time together at Hole in the Wall allowed him to relive his Camp days and relish in the experiences he had. The family got to test out Jazz’s favorite casting spot for fishing – the one where he caught 15 fish in one day over the summer – and reminisce about the times that WeePee, the giant mythical fish in Pearson Pond, got away. 

“It was a very nostalgic moment being there just kind of replaying memories in my head,” Jodeci said. “Seeing how everything changed was cool because there were a lot of new additions to the Camp, but at the same time there were still a lot of things the same.” 

The tradition of summer camp is one that ties many families together, and Jodeci and Jazz are looking forward to more times together at Hole in the Wall. 

If you’d like to learn more about Hole in the Wall’s overnight programs for the entire family, click here.