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Campground Owners of New York Present Donation To Camp Good Days and Special Times

A special ceremony celebrating a season-long fundraising effort by Campground Owners of New York (CONY), on behalf of Camp Good Days and Special Times, was be held during CONY's 49th Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry. The Exposition took place November 1 to 3, 2012, at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park, Lake George, New York. At the ceremony, CONY officials presented a check $42,416.25, totaling all funds raised by association members, to representative James McCauley from Camp Good Days and Special Times, a New York State-based organization providing camping experiences to children with cancer. 

This is the first statewide fundraising effort organized by CONY, a trade association with over 200 campgrounds and RV parks in its membership. Matt Anderson, a member of CONY's board of directors whose family owns Camp Chautauqua in western New York, was instrumental in getting the project off the ground. "For a first time effort, I think CONY has done a good job and pushed it very hard," Anderson said "I'm proud to say that Camp Chautauqua will be donating over $11,000 from total fundraising efforts this year."

Anderson's park sold paper balloons and specially imprinted t-shirts, and displayed a donation box in the camp store. A silent auction brought in over $8,700 of the park's total donations.

"We are thrilled and so grateful that CONY has selected Camp Good Days and Special Times as the recipient of their fundraising efforts this summer season," said Gary Mervis, Chairman and Founder of Camp Good Days. "So as not to place any additional financial burden on those families served, all of the programs and services we provide, to so many children and families whose lives have been touched by cancer are offered free of charge for the participants."

Donald Bennett, Jr., President and CEO of CONY, had this to say. "I think when we revealed the donation amount for Camp Good Days, there was a tremendous amount of pride and satisfaction felt by everyone in CONY about our efforts, and also by how much it is going to help kids enjoy camping who might not otherwise be able to because of their illnesses."

Anderson is grateful to all the campgrounds that did their part in the fundraiser, but he also acknowledges the campers. "Without the generosity of our campers who stayed in CONY parks this summer and opened their wallets to our cause, this wouldn't have been possible," he said. "We owe our biggest thanks to the campers for all that they gave for Camp Good Days."

CONY's annual Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry is geared toward campground operators, managers and staff, as well as people buying, selling or developing campgrounds and RV parks. The Exposition features professional development seminars, a trade show and awards banquet.

CONY campgrounds members, as well as non-member campground operators interested in the CONY association, attended. Companies interested in doing business with New York campground operators were also on hand as exhibitors or sponsors.

For more details, including schedule, registration forms, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) booklet, contact the CONY office at 585-586-4360, or info@nycampgrounds.com.

Campground Owners of New York, founded in 1963, is an association dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State. More information about the association and its campgrounds – including a free camping directory - is available at www.nycampgrounds.com