Millions raised to rebuild after Ashford blaze
Camp ‘deeply grateful’ for more than 3,300 donations
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp has raised the millions needed to rebuild after a fire destroyed four workshops at the Ashford retreat for sick children earlier this month, the CEO of the camp founded by legendary actor Paul Newmansaid Monday.
“We are deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of kindness and generosity from the thousands of people in our Campfamily and beyond whobrought us to this milestone,” camp CEO Jimmy Canton said. “To every person who donated, every camper family that raised money on social media and everyone who reached out with their prayers and well wishes, know that we are honored by your friendship.”
Since the Feb. 12 blaze, the camp has received more than 3,300 donations and commitments totaling just over $1 million, according to a news release. Those funds are on top of a $1 million commitment from the Newman’s OwnFoundation and will be matched by a $1 million contribution from Travelers and the Travelers Championship.
Amongthe donors to the rebuilding effort was pro golfer Bubba Watson, a three-time winner of the Travelers Championship.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp has been a primary beneficiary of proceeds from the tournament for the past 14 years.
“A week ago, The Hole in the Wall Gang
Camp was struck by tragedy, but in a matter of days, the community responded with remarkable generosity,” Alan Schnitzer, chairman and chief executive officer of Travelers, said in a written statement. “The fire may have come as a shock, but the outpouring of support was hardly a surprise. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camphas touched many lives and countless hearts. We’re honored to do our part to help the Camp recover and rebuild stronger than ever.”
The fire destroyed the attached Arts & Crafts, Woodshop, Camp Store and Cooking Zone buildings but officials credited the “quick and brave actions” of local firefighters with preventing the blaze from spreading to the nearby dining hall and infirmary.
RyanThompson, chief communication officer for the camp, said in an email last week that the camphasfiledaninsuranceclaim but “our coverage is for the structures that were lost, which were more than 30 years old.”
“We intend to construct new buildings that will exceed the old standards and best meet the current, future and varied needs of the seriously ill children we serve,” he said. No exact estimate for the rebuild was given by Thompson previously predicted it would be a multimillion-dollar effort.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but Ashford Fire Marshal Richard Whitehouse said that it “doesn’t appear to be suspicious.”
An automatic fire alarm went off just before 5 p.m. on Feb. 12, and witnesses soon began calling in reports of a huge smoke column and flames.
Firefighters spent about 90 minutes containing and extinguishing the bulk of the fire.
Founded by Newman in 1988, the nonprofit camp has offered summer programs for thousands of seriously ill children each year.
The old Western style campgrounds were inspired by Newman’s famed movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”