Care Camps, a charity to help children with cancer experience the hope and healing power of the outdoors through oncology camps across North America, is proud to announce that one of its longest-term champions has reached $500,000 in fundraising donations.
After years of supporting the charity started by many of their customers in the KOA system, Southeast Publications (SEPI) attained the half a million charitable milestone. The family-run marketing and publishing firm has been servicing outdoor hospitality organizations for over 35 years, offering free products and services including Southeast Publications Guest Guide Services, MYSites Reservations System, and the MobileRVing.com marketing platform.
SEPI’s owner Kim Warrick said, “In 1994, our founder Peter Warrick felt the need to give back to the camping industry. After a lot of research SEPI decided that helping send kids with cancer to camp was our passion. Care Camps became Southeast Publications charity of choice.”
Over the past 27 years, Southeast Publications and their team have raised donations through employee-led auction events, with SEPI owners matching what was raised. In addition to the $500,000+, SEPI has gifted over $200,000 of in-kind donations to support Care Camps programs, such as website design and marketing and print services, making them one of Care Camps’ largest supporters.
Kim said, “Our priorities start with taking care of our customers and building relationships. It is our joy to be able to support the charity founded by our customers and give back to make sure these kids get the chance to experience the amazing power of camping and the outdoors and just be a kid again.”
Care Camps began years ago with a handful of campground owners doing fundraisers for three camps. This has grown to fund 135 special oncology camps serving kids with cancer and their families across the US and Canada. The organization was originally founded by the KOA Owner’s Association, and the KOA system is still their largest annual donor. As the number of children needing this experience has grown substantially, Care Camps support has grown to include many other campgrounds and outdoor industry businesses. Today, the number of kids experiencing the benefits of camp has grown tremendously thanks to fundraisers and donations from companies such as KOA, Forest River, Patrick Industries, THOR, Dometic, Lippert, and Southeast Publications.
“Southeast Publications has been one of Care Camps most loyal partners for over two decades, and we are so excited to celebrate this milestone with them,” said Wade Elliott, Care Camps Board Chairman. “Care Camps was founded by campground owners, and the camping and RV industry remains the heart and soul of this charity. This cause helps thousands of kids with cancer across the US and Canada experience the healing power of the outdoors. A huge thank you to Southeast Publications for the incredible dedication they have shown in helping these kids. We need more partners like you.”
For questions or more information on how you can support or partner with Care Camps, contact Jennifer Mercer, Director of Development, at (406) 671-0447 or email: jmercer@carecamps.org
