Aspen Institute donates Wye River Conference Center, which will be renovated to provide free year-round camp programming for children with serious illnesses and their families in the Mid-Atlantic

As The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp prepares to welcome campers for its 35th summer in Ashford, Conn., CEO James Canton and Board Member Bradley Cooper announced today that the organization will open a second location on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2023, providing “a different kind of healing” to more children with serious illnesses and their families in the Mid-Atlantic.

“For 35 years, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp has been guided by Founder Paul Newman’s creative spirit, expanding programming to bring joy and hope to more children with serious illnesses while also increasing opportunities for their families to experience the healing power of Camp all year long,” said Canton, who was a cabin counselor during the Camp’s first summer in 1988. “This same commitment that expanded our reach from 288 campers in 1988 to now more than 20,000 children and family members annually also inspired us to pursue this opportunity to bring Camp magic to more children and family members in the Mid-Atlantic – a region that Hole in the Wall has served to some extent since its earliest days. We are thrilled for this next chapter and humbled by the Aspen Institute’s incredibly kind and generous donation – it’s a gift that will keep on giving.”
According to Canton, Camp’s multi-year exploration of adding a Mid-Atlantic location took an exciting, unexpected turn when it learned that the Aspen Institute’s 166-acre Wye River Conference Center in Queenstown, Md. was for sale and that the board was willing to donate a majority of the historic property to Hole in the Wall. In 1979, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., gifted the property to the Institute, which inspired the board to pay it forward. The historic property, which boasts scenic water views, tree-lined pathways and majestic meadows, contains several residential buildings and other conference facilities that will be renovated to provide a helpful starting point for Camp to begin programming.

“Since 1979, the Wye River campus has played an important role in the Aspen Institute’s history. This beautiful and protected site has hosted countless seminars and convenings, including some of international significance,” said Dan Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute. “We are now proud to make available a significant part of this land to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp to become their second location. Their mission to provide joy to children with serious illnesses and their families is inspiring, and secures a wonderful future for the Wye River campus.”

Maryland’s Eastern Shore represents an ideal Hole in the Wall location for many reasons. The Connecticut location’s on-site programming primarily serves those traveling from within a three-hour radius in the Northeast. The Maryland location will create an adjacent three-hour radius in the Mid-Atlantic, which contains some of the nation’s most prominent pediatric hospitals treating many of the populations that Camp hopes to serve at the Maryland location. Hole in the Wall’s plans for the new site are guided by Camp’s many years of experience serving children with serious illnesses while also answering the diverse needs of their families. The facilities and all programming will be designed to be family inclusive so that those most devastated and isolated by serious illnesses, including the rare disease community, will be able to find a caring community of support that understands their unique challenges.

Actor, producer and director Bradley Cooper is honorary chair of the committee leading the launch of the new location. Cooper, who volunteered as a cabin counselor at the Camp in 2006 and later joined the Board of Directors in 2014, has a deep, personal connection to the Mid-Atlantic having grown up near Philadelphia and graduated from Georgetown University.

“I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing impact of Hole in the Wall’s programs, which is why I’m honored and excited to see that Camp is bringing a much-needed escape, a support network and empowering experiences to the lives of some incredibly brave kids and families in the Mid-Atlantic,” said Cooper. “Just like when Paul Newman first started the Camp, this expansion into Maryland will rely on the generosity of many new friends who want to see these kids become campers and their family members experience all the magic Hole in the Wall has to offer.”

Following what is expected to be a one-year renovation, Hole in the Wall plans to open the Maryland location in summer 2023 by offering multiple sessions of Family Camp programming to serve those populations in the region who are most in need of Camp’s healing impact. In the meantime, Hole in the Wall’s Hospital Outreach program continues to bring Camp-style games and activities to several Mid-Atlantic hospitals daily with plans to establish a DC metro area regional office and expand to more medical facilities in the coming months.

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 20,000 seriously ill children 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 more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Learn more at www.holeinthewallgang.org.

After a three-month national search, Robin Farrell has been named The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s new Chief Development Officer, CEO Jimmy Canton announced today.
“Robin distinguished herself from an impressive candidate pool by not only demonstrating a deep, personal passion for Hole in the Wall’s mission, but also bringing to the table a robust range of development experience from roles where she has effectively managed and grown a diverse array of fundraising programs,” said Canton. “We are thrilled to have found someone with Robin’s dynamic combination of enthusiasm and experience as Hole in the Wall works to raise the critical funds needed to bring our Founder’s dream of ‘a different kind of healing’ to more children with serious illnesses and their families.”

Farrell has more than 20 years of development experience and comes to Hole in the Wall after spending the past five years at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, where she successfully led their $50 million comprehensive campaign. She previously served as the director of development at Madison Country Day School and Madison Symphony Orchestra in Wisconsin, and prior to that held fundraising positions at Wisconsin Public Television and other institutions. She also has a camp background and has volunteered at refugee camps in Italy.

“This is the work I always dreamed of doing, and I am grateful for this opportunity to join an organization that brings fun, hope and healing to brave children and their inspiring families,” said Farrell. “I feel honored and excited to work alongside a dedicated staff and loyal community of supporters whose hearts are aligned with Paul Newman’s admirable legacy.”

As Chief Development Officer, Farrell will oversee all of Hole in the Wall’s revenue sources and fundraising initiatives. She succeeds Ryan Thompson, who for the past three years has served in the combined role of Chief Development and Communications Officer and is stepping back into his former role of Chief Communications Officer, which he was first appointed to in 2011.

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 20,000 seriously ill children 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 more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Learn more at www.holeinthewallgang.org.

CEO Expresses Gratitude to Travelers, the Travelers Championship, Newman’s Own Foundation and Broader Community for Incredible Groundswell of Generosity and Friendship

New Haven, Conn., Feb. 22, 2021 – Following a significant fire at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp on Friday, Feb. 12, CEO Jimmy Canton announced today that a $1 million match initiated by The Travelers Companies, Inc. and the Travelers Championship to inspire community support has been achieved. Canton also acknowledged that Hole in the Wall feels they will have the anticipated funds needed to rebuild the structures that were lost in the fire to best meet the current, future and varied needs of the seriously ill children the Camp serves.

“We are deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of kindness and generosity from the thousands of people in our Camp family and beyond who brought us to this milestone,” said Canton. “To every person who donated, every camper family that raised money on social media and everyone who reached out with their prayers and well wishes, know that we are honored by your friendship. We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to Travelers and the Travelers Championship for their extraordinary $1 million match, and to Newman’s Own Foundation for their exceptional $1 million commitment to ensure we build the future-minded buildings our children will need. It is because of this incredible support that we can now focus our efforts on rebuilding.”

On Monday, Feb. 15, longtime Camp advocates Travelers and the Travelers Championship announced a $1 million match to inspire support for Hole in the Wall’s rebuilding efforts.

“A week ago, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was struck by tragedy, but in a matter of days, the community responded with remarkable generosity,” said Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers. “The fire may have come as a shock, but the outpouring of support was hardly a surprise. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp has touched many lives and countless hearts. We’re honored to do our part to help the Camp recover and rebuild stronger than ever.”

“It was clear from the first time I visited Camp that it was a magical place,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers. “Its phenomenal programs allow kids to, as Paul Newman put it, ‘raise a little hell,’ and thanks to everyone in the community, Camp will be able to preserve the special activities that families have counted on for so many years.”

More than 3,300 donations and commitments have been received since Feb. 12, totaling just over $1 million. Included in the total are a number of pledges from generous individual donors, foundations and corporations. On Feb. 17, Newman’s Own Foundation announced an additional $1 million commitment, encouraging the Camp staff to dream the most cutting-edge, accessible and inclusive new buildings possible.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled by the far-reaching support shown to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” said Miriam E. Nelson, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “It says so much about the community that Hole in the Wall and Paul built. We are proud to be a part of the Camp family, and we know that Hole in the Wall will rise stronger to continue to serve more children with serious illnesses and their families.”

For the last 14 years, Hole in the Wall has been a primary beneficiary of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. On Feb. 17, three-time Travelers Championship winner Bubba Watson announced his own $25,000 commitment in response to the match, demonstrating the far-reaching friendship between the tournament and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Watson also has supported Camp in the past – after his win at the 2018 Travelers Championship, he donated $200,000.

“The Camp is a charitable focus and source of inspiration for us, not only among our local community but throughout the PGA TOUR and its players,” said Nathan Grube, Travelers Championship Tournament Director. “The response from across our region has been absolutely outstanding, and we’re happy to have been there for Camp when they needed us most.”

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 20,000 seriously ill children and family members annually. 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 more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. All programming is provided completely free of charge and reliant on the support of thousands of donors each year who have made Paul Newman’s dream their own. Learn more at www.holeinthewallgang.org.

About Newman’s Own Foundation: Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, he founded Newman’s Own Foundation to turn all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman’s Own products into donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given nearly $570 million to thousands of impactful organizations around the world. For more information, visit www.newmansownfoundation.org.

About Travelers: The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has approximately 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $32 billion in 2020. For more information, visit www.Travelers.com.

About the Travelers Championship: The Travelers Championship, held in Cromwell, Connecticut, is one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR and part of the FedExCup series. The tournament proudly supports the TOUR’s Tradition of Giving Back by donating 100% of net proceeds to charities. Travelers, a leading provider of property and casualty insurance for auto, home and business, is the Official Property Casualty Insurance Provider of the PGA TOUR. The company became the tournament’s title sponsor in 2007. Travelers has been doing business in the Hartford community for more than 160 years and has been a corporate sponsor of this event each year since its inception in 1952. Complete details are available at www.TravelersChampionship.com.

WESTPORT, Conn. – Newman’s Own Foundation has committed $1 million to the rebuilding of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp following a significant fire on February 12 that destroyed a number of buildings on the Ashford, Connecticut, site. The Camp was founded by actor Paul Newman in 1988.

“All of us at Newman’s Own were devastated by the fire,” said Miriam E. Nelson, president and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “I have encouraged my colleague and friend, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp CEO Jimmy Canton, to rebuild in a manner that not only meets the current needs of children living with illness and their families, but also helps them pursue their boldest dreams for the future.”

Dr. Nelson went on to say, “We were particularly thrilled by the inspiring $1 million match made by Travelers and the Travelers Championship. The community response to this match is heartening, and it’s absolutely critical that people continue to donate to help this multi-million dollar rebuild effort. Hole in the Wall was the first of its kind and we hope that our commitment above and beyond the match will allow the Camp to continue to be cutting edge in every imaginable way for the brave campers and families they serve.”

“We are deeply grateful to Newman’s Own for their exceptionally generous commitment as well as their shared vision for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s future,” said Canton. “We envision both new buildings that reflect the latest accessibility standards and innovative programs that are as inclusive and welcoming as possible.”

Through a variety of year-round programs offered onsite and in hospitals and clinics, as well as in camper homes and communities, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp serves more than 20,000 seriously ill children and family members each year. Hole in the Wall is an independent, not-for-profit organization dependent on private funding to serve all children and their family members completely free of charge.

On February 15, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) and the Travelers Championship announced a joint commitment to match up to $1 million in donations to rebuild the camp. Newman’s Own Foundation has asked that the Travelers and Travelers Championship challenge match not apply to the gift being announced today, so that the matching funds remain available to inspire further donations. Newman’s Own encourages all to continue to support the Travelers challenge match by making a gift or sending a donation by mail to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, P.O. Box 150448, Hartford, CT 06115-0448, Memo: Rebuild Camp Fund.

About Newman’s Own Foundation: Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, he founded Newman’s Own Foundation to turn all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman’s Own products into donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given nearly $570 million to thousands of impactful organizations around the world. For more information, visit www.newmansownfoundation.org.

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 20,000 seriously ill children 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 more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Learn more at www.holeinthewallgang.org.