133rd Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard Returns to Camp Sunshine to Lend a Helping Hand with Needed Improvements

Guard members installing fence, repairing bridge to help Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind camp experience for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families

CASCO, Maine (June 21, 2012) – Soldiers from the 133rd Engineer Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard have returned to Camp Sunshine this summer to make needed improvements to the non-profit organization’s campus on the shores of Sebago Lake.

The 133rd arrived at Camp Sunshine on June 15 and will stay through June 29 as part of its two-week summer training operation aimed at supporting Maine charity organizations. This marks the fourth time since 1992 that the Maine Army National Guard has lent a helping hand at Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind camp experience for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

This summer, soldiers are assisting with much-needed tasks, including installing fencing around a large part of the 23-acre campus, shingling the gazebo, and performing bridge repairs, said Matt Hoidal, Executive Director of Camp Sunshine.

“We are deeply indebted to the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Battalion for their impact on our Camp Sunshine campus during the past two decades,” Hoidal said. “It’s an important and valued partnership for us, and we look forward to their continued support for many more years to come.”

Gov. Paul LePage and First Lady Ann LePage will visit Camp Sunshine on Tuesday (June 26), along with Michael Cianchette, Deputy Legal Counsel for the Governor. They will meet with members of the 133rd Battalion, families attending Camp Sunshine, and the organization’s volunteers. The June 26 visit is scheduled for 9-10 a.m.

Nestled alongside the shores of beautiful Sebago Lake, Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org) provides children with life-threatening illnesses and their families a place to relax together for a week and take a break from the extraordinary demands placed on them on a daily basis.

Camp Sunshine is one of the only programs in the nation with a mission to address the impact on the entire family. Last year alone, more than 700 families from across the U.S. attended one of 25 weeklong sessions held throughout the year. There is no charge to participating families.

Camp Sunshine’s partnership with the Maine Army National Guard started in 1992 when soldiers from the 133rd helped clear and stump the grounds of what would become the permanent campus. In addition to clearing and grading the property, soldiers constructed roads and drainage.

One year later, the 133rd returned to build the gazebo, the first official structure on the property. The 133rd came back again in 1998 and, despite torrential rainfall for an entire week, built a bathhouse, a small pond, and a bridge across the pond strong enough to support the Guard’s heavy equipment.

“For the soldiers of the 133rd, this experience began as a training operation but soon evolved into a mission of caring and support,” Hoidal said. “We are honored that the Battalion has returned again.”

Camp Sunshine recently received another top 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading independent charity evaluator. The rating reflects Camp Sunshine’s emphasis on sound financial oversight, management and transparency. Its support from volunteers is a major contributing factor to the Camp’s ability to direct an overwhelming majority of funds raised toward program services and helping families.

About Camp Sunshine
Founded in 1984, Camp Sunshine, located in Maine’s Sebago Lake region, provides a camp vacation at no charge to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The camp is one of the only programs in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family. While attending the various week-long camps, families are able to rebuild relationships together and meet other families facing similar challenges. Camp Sunshine is in the midst of a $14.5 million endowment campaign to help expand and improve programs. Over the years, Camp Sunshine has hosted families from 44 states and 15 countries, and provided a camp experience for more than 30,000 family members. To support Camp Sunshine, please call (207) 655-3800 or visit www.campsunshine.org.

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Here is more information about Camp Sunshine