Needham Resident Leads Fundraising Efforts to Send At-Risk Children to Summer Camps Throughout New England
Needham resident, Jason Silberman, owner and director of Camp Matoaka in Smithfield, ME, is co-chairing American Camp Association, New England’s 2nd Annual Camp Champions Celebration honoring Boston Mayor Menino on Thursday, November 1st at Fenway Park. The evening celebrates the true spirit of camp, and all net proceeds will help to bring the summer camp experience to the area's at-risk children through ACA New England’s Campership Fund.
More than 100 at-risk children had the chance to attend ACA Accredited day and overnight camps throughout New England this past summer. These camperships were a result of fundraising efforts from last year’s Camp Champions Celebration, which honored Eliot and June Tatelman.
ACA New England will present Mayor Menino with this year’s Camp Champions Award for his extraordinary work on behalf of children and families throughout Boston. He will be recognized for this work and his commitment to providing life-changing experiences for youth in the city and for his help in spreading the message of the importance of summer camp in a young person’s life.
The evening kicks off at 6:00pm and includes hors d’oeuvres, Fenway Park tours (which begin at 5:30) with stops at the Royal Rooters Club and Visitors’ Clubhouse, a delicious dinner buffet overlooking the field, a raffle and silent auction, photo ops with Red Sox mascot Wally – an overall fun program designed to delight and inspire a camp committed crowd of guests. Notable auction items include an honorary Red Sox bat boy or girl experience plus infield tickets for 4, a private barbeque for 10 at East Coast Grill prepared by head chef, James Lozano, a kids’ bowling party for 12 at Kings in Dedham complete with pizza and drinks, a signed script by the cast of Glee, the opportunity to be an honorary pit crew member at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July 2013, and much more!
Two additional co-chairs have joined Silberman in his leadership of the Camp Champions Committee, which includes Jeff Hacker of Lincoln, MA, owner and director of Camp Cedar in Casco, ME, and Dan Isdaner of Jupiter, FL, owner and director of Camp Mataponi in Naples, ME.
Event details including ticket sales, sponsorship, and donation information can be found at www.acanewengland.org/camp-champions, and the online auction details at www.BiddingforGood.com/acanewengland.
Pictured is Jason Silberman with his wife Lisa, who also runs Camp Matoaka with him.