Catchfence

Randleman, N.C., April 4 – Victory Junction is pleased to announce that The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, to which Victory Junction Camp has been a member for eight years, has become SeriousFun Children’s Network.

SeriousFun Children’s Network President and CEO John C. Read noted that the new name is an opportunity to share the remarkable journey of the organization, which over the course of 25 years has grown from one camp in Connecticut to a strong, united network of 28 camps and programs around the world.

“Our founder, Paul Newman, always knew that taking fun seriously could make a real difference in the lives of children facing a serious illness,” said Read. “His incredible vision inspired so many people, leaving a lasting impression that lives on today as SeriousFun Children’s Network.”

Since the inception of its flagship member, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut in 1988, more than 384,700 children and their families have been served by an evolving global network of camps and programs. Read cited this global growth as a principal motivator for the name change, noting the importance of more clearly linking the camps together under the distinct SeriousFun Children’s Network name.

“The camps have always been connected by a shared belief in the power of fun, but now they are unified by a new name and better positioned to spread the word about the inspired work happening worldwide,” said Read. “Children coping with the daily hardships of illness deserve a chance to kick back and simply be kids – and SeriousFun Children’s Network stands ready to reach even more children and their families around the world.”

With a new strategic plan for elevating global awareness and encouraging charitable donations, SeriousFun Children’s Network aims to strengthen support and bring Paul Newman’s vision to new corners of the world. A renewed focus on cultivating relationships with national and global corporations will be instrumental in continuing SeriousFun’s growth and excellence worldwide.

Victory Junction retains its name and logo, yet will be known as part of SeriousFun Children’s Network moving forward.

“We will operate as we always have, just now with a stronger connection to the global community of camps and initiatives,” explained Victory Junction Founder, Kyle Petty.

ABOUT VICTORY JUNCTION

Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Victory Junction offers programs for a range of disease groups and maintains strong relationships with more than 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, groups and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 16,000 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. For more information or to donate, visit www.victoryjunction.org

About SeriousFun Children’s Network

SeriousFun Children’s Network is a growing global community of innovative camps and programs that provide life-changing support to children with serious illnesses and their families.   Known as The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps until April 2012, when the organization changed its name to underscore founder Paul Newman’s passionate belief in the power of taking fun seriously,  SeriousFun Children’s Network remains deeply rooted in the philosophy that children with serious illnesses deserve an opportunity to simply be kids. Since the first camp’s inception in 1988, more than 384,700 children and their families have been served by SeriousFun Children’s Network, including over 253,800 children from 50 countries. Today SeriousFun Children’s Network includes 28 initiatives worldwide, all reaching beyond illness to help children and their families discover joy, confidence and a new world of possibility. SeriousFun Children’s Network and each of its member camps are independent not-for-profit organizations dependent upon private funding and the generosity of others to serve all children free of charge.  Visitwww.seriousfunnetwork.org.

Source: Victory Junction, Press Release