Camp Quality New Jersey, a nonprofit organization providing free sleep-away camping experiences and year-round activities for children with cancer, raised approximately $40,000 at its first “Letting Kids with Cancer be Kids Again” benefit gala on April 24 at The Imperia in Somerset.
More than 200 guests enjoyed an open bar and cocktail hour followed by dinner, dancing and a gift auction, according to a press release from the organization.
The evening included entertainment by a troupe from Juggling Life, which performed for free. The nonprofit group’s jugglers, acrobats and magicians frequently perform during
Camp Quality’s summer session in Sussex County, according to the press release.
Board member and former Camp Quality co-director Jane Vaughan told the guests about what a great experience it is to be involved with the program, not only for the campers, but for the volunteers and parents as well, according to the press release.
Vaughan noted that under the national program, each camper is assigned an individual companion for the week-long summer camp.
She was followed by Camp Quality Executive Director Al Passy, who discussed the organization’s year-round programs on behalf of children with cancer, all of which are offered free to campers and their families.
Passy commended the organization’s volunteers and donors for their efforts aimed at “Letting Kids with Cancer be Kids Again.”
“This camp can only exist through the efforts of its volunteers, companions and financial contributors like yourselves,” he said. “Every penny we raise is through the efforts of organizations and people that believe in supporting a program to allow children with cancer to feel good about who they are.”
Passy recognized Camp Quality volunteer coordinator Kaitlin DeGenneraro, who organized and administered the event, directing the efforts of volunteers who solicited merchandise and services for the night’s auctions and gift-basket giveaways.
DeGenneraro thanked board member and former director Sharon Goldman for coming up with the idea of the gala.
Camper Katherine “Kaela” Cruz and her father, Matt, of Sayreville spoke to attendees about their experiences with Camp Quality.
Kaela talked about how much fun she has each year, the types of activities she participates in and how she looks forward to coming back, while her father related what it means for parents to have their children attend the camp, according to the press release.