SEALs to Swim Full 13-Mile Length of Sebago Lake for Camp Sunshine on August 21 in Casco, Maine

The “Go the Distance” event will raise funds to send military families to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind retreat in Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families

CASCO, Maine (June 17, 2014) – Four active-duty Navy SEALs are preparing to swim the full 13-mile length of Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine on August 21 to raise funds to send military families in need to Camp Sunshine.

The goal of the SEALs for Sunshine event is to raise enough money to send 40 military families to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind national retreat in Casco for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

The four SEALs, two who are originally from Maine, will enter Sebago Lake at Veterans Memorial Park in Raymond, swim 6.5 miles to the southern end of Frye Island, around the island, then 6.5 miles to the shores of Point Sebago Resort in Casco, adjacent to Camp Sunshine.

The Thursday, Aug. 21 charity event is part of the “Go the Distance” campaign, a partnership between Camp Sunshine and the New Balance Foundation. The New Balance Foundation has agreed to match all funds raised for Camp Sunshine through endurance events up to $300,000, meaning donations that come in for the SEALs for Sunshine event will be doubled. In addition, Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham, Maine, also has agreed to match donations for this event up to $25,000, meaning the first $25,000 raised will be tripled and result in excess of $75,000 for Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org).

Organizers have set a goal to raise $80,000 – enough to bring 40 military families for a Camp Sunshine session in 2015.

“First and foremost, Camp Sunshine is honored to have the support of these four distinguished members of the Navy’s special operations force,” said Anna Gould, Camp Sunshine’s Founder. “Not only is this an amazing opportunity for Camp Sunshine, but also for donors supporting the SEALs for Sunshine event. These guys set lofty goals, whether it’s swimming a half marathon or raising enough to sponsor a session – I know the community will rally behind them.”   

Camp Sunshine has again utilized the services of the popular online fundraising platform CrowdRise to make it easier for the entire community to unite, support, and fundraise for the SEALs for Sunshine event. To start raising funds, donate online, and to share the event via social media visit www.crowdrise.com/sealsforsunshine. For more information, call Camp Sunshine at (207) 655-3800.

The SEALs for Sunshine event will culminate with a gala dinner on Friday, August 22, where a senior level Navy official as well as the SEALs will address those in attendance. The gala dinner will be hosted at Camp Sunshine’s 27-acre campus along Sebago Lake. More information about the SEALs for Sunshine event can be found at www.sealsforsunshine.org. Tables/Individual seats for the gala can be purchased by calling the development office at Camp Sunshine at (207) 655-3800. 

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

The year-round program is free of charge and staffed almost entirely by volunteers.  It is the only program in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family.

About Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine is a year-round retreat, which provides respite, support, joy, and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through various stages of a child’s illness. The program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour on-site medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also offered. To support Camp Sunshine, call (207) 655-3800 or visit www.campsunshine.org.

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Event listing

WHAT: SEALs for Sunshine fundraising event to benefit Camp Sunshine

WHEN: Thursday (Aug. 21) – Four SEALs to swim 13-mile length of Sebago Lake; Friday (Aug. 22) – Gala Dinner at Camp Sunshine

WHERE: Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015

WHO:   Event to raise money to send military families to Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org), a one-of-a-kind national retreat in Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families

MORE INFO:  Four active duty Navy SEALs will be swimming the 13 mile length of Sebago Lake on Aug. 21 to raise funds and awareness for Camp Sunshine. Matching challenges from both the New Balance Foundation and Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham, Maine, means that donations for this event will be tripled. The goal is to raise $80,000. A gala dinner will take place at Camp Sunshine on Aug. 22.

WEBSITE: https://www.crowdrise.com/sealsforsunshine

CONTACT: Michael Smith, Camp Sunshine (207) 655-3800 msmith@campsunshine.org

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