Camp Sunshine Chosen as Co-Beneficiary of Riverview Foundation's "Kids who Care" Kick-a-Thon

Riverview Foundation is hosting its first annual “Riverview Kids Who Care” Kick-a-thon on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at both its Topsham and South Portland facilities. Proceeds from the event will support Camp Sunshine, a Sebago Lake camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

A portion of the proceeds also will be used to help Riverview reach more children throughout Southern Maine who would benefit from its character-building youth programs and summer camps.

To register for the event or receive additional information, contact Carol Mecsas at 729-7399 ext. 303 or carol@riverviewfoundation.org.

Riverview Foundation’s goal is to raise $6,000 at the event, The proceeds will help Riverview assist disadvantaged children by providing scholarships for them to attend its camp, after-school and non-competitive martial arts youth programs. And for Camp Sunshine, the additional funding will mean more opportunities for Maine families to attend the invaluable weekly camps.

“Camp Sunshine is thrilled to have entered into this partnership with the Riverview Foundation,” said Michael Smith, Camp Sunshine’s Director of Special Events. “The Riverview staff’s commitment to teaching children and young adults the importance of giving back to their community, especially to other children and families in need, deserves the highest praise. Funds raised by the kick-a-thon will go directly to support Maine families and provide them with the opportunity to spend a week at Camp Sunshine.”

Carol Mecsas, Admissions Director at Riverview Foundation, said giving back is a core principle of the organization.

“The enthusiasm and support from many local business and organizations so far has been spectacular,” she said. “We’re hoping this year’s kick-a-thon will encourage our children and teens to take an active role in raising money to help kids at Camp Sunshine and our local community. Each of Riverview’s 13 Youth Programs include community service and actively giving back to the community as an important part of the educational process. The kick-a-thon promises to be enjoyable holiday event, fun for the whole family!”

Founded in 1989, the Riverview Foundation serves more than 700 families per year by providing in school and after school services focusing on positive character-building, wilderness skills, non-competitive martial arts and summer camp activities throughout Southern Maine, including in Portland, South Portland, Brunswick, Topsham, Freeport and Biddeford. For more information about Riverview Foundation’s programs, please visit Riverview’s website at www.riverviewfoundation.org.

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 offers 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.

For more information about Camp Sunshine’s programs, which now take place year-round, and to learn more about volunteering or making a donation, visit the camp’s website at www.campsunshine.org, or call (207) 655-3800.

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