LIKE
Friday March 29, 2024


Click the logos
for news and info
about these companies

Non-Profits & Special Events








Products & Services










Banking & Finance




Construction &
Real Estate






Travel & Tourism








Public Affairs











Top Headlines

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2006

Contact:
Matthew M. Hoidal, Esq.
(207) 655-3800
E-mail: www.CampSunshine.org

Beryl Wolfe
(207) 883-6083

Web Site: http://www.CampSunshine.org

Jack-o-Lantern Lighting Events Set Guinness World Record and Raise Nearly $500,000 for Camp Sunshine

World record 30,128 pumpkins lit in one place in Boston as part of event founded by Camp Sunshine

Oh my gourdness, THEY DID IT!

Camp Sunshine and Life is good®, together with the people of Boston, set a new Guinness World Record on Saturday for the most lit jack-o-lanterns in one place at one time with 30,128 pumpkins.

And in the process, this event and similar events held simultaneously across the country raised as much as $500,000 for Camp Sunshine, a Casco, Maine-based retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
The old record of 28,952 lit pumpkins in one place had been held since 2003 by Keene, N.H. That city tried to keep up with its own attempt Saturday, but lit only 24,682 pumpkins.

“We are thrilled,” said Matt Hoidal, Executive Director of Camp Sunshine and founder of the event in 2003. “It has taken us a few years to break the record, but we knew we could eventually get the job done.”

Life is good®, a Boston clothing company, sponsored the event.
“It was incredible to see so many people come out to help deliver a world record for the City of Boston. Even more important, we are thrilled about raising almost half a million dollars and significant awareness for Camp Sunshine,” said Bert Jacobs, chief executive optimist and co-founder of Life is good®. “Today’s event reflects the mission of Life is good®. We are committed to having the greatest positive impact we can, particularly on the lives of children who face unfair challenges.”
An estimated 100,000 people poured into the Boston Common to carve pumpkins, listen to music, participate in activities, and enjoy tasty treats like pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup. Many of the attendees came from around New England, and some from around the country, to participate in and witness the record.

“This year the response was overwhelming, so we were grateful for our sponsors, our families and Life is good® for helping us raise these important funds,” Hoidal said. Camp Sunshine is in the midst of a $14.5 million endowment and capital campaign to expand the camp’s year-round programs, which began last year.

Maine-based sponsors of the event include Reny’s, Kittery Trading Post and Downeast Energy.
The festival required assistance from more than 800 Camp Sunshine and Life is good® volunteers who helped set up, execute, and break down the event. Pumpkins, guts, and remains were hauled away to pig farms for use as feed and compost.

The $250,000 generated from the event in Boston and the $250,000 more raised elsewhere by Newland Communities will help Camp Sunshine expand its program and serve more than 300 additional children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Developer Newland Communities held simultaneous, well-received events in 18 of its master-planned communities.
“Newland Communities’ instant connection with Life is good® and Camp Sunshine was almost inevitable,” said Gina Nixon, Vice President of Marketing for San Diego-based Newland Communities.

About Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine is a year-round retreat in Maine’s Sebago Lake region that provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families through various stages of a child’s illness. The program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups also are offered for families who have lost a child to an illness. For more information on Camp Sunshine, please visit www.campsunshine.com.

About Life is good, Inc.®
Life is good®, based in Boston, spreads good vibes through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories, and the contagious grin of Jake, its optimistic cultural hero. For more information on Life is good®, please visit www.lifeisgood.com.

About Newland® Communities
Newland Communities has been creating desirable, livable communities across the nation for nearly four decades. Headquartered in San Diego, Newland Communities is currently developing communities across the country in states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Minnesota and Maryland. Information on Newland Communities can be found at www.newlandcommunities.com.

# # #






NOTE: Wolfe News Wire is an online source for news and information about noteworthy companies and organizations. We invite you to share this content and/or leave a comment. Background info and past news items from a specific organization can be found by clicking the side logos. For more info, please email info@wolfenews.com. Thank you!



Terms of Use and Privacy Policy




©2015 Wolfe Public Relations. All Rights Reserved.