PITTSFORD - Campground Owners of New York recently announced that Camp Chautauqua in Stow raised more than $11,400 in donations for Camp Good Days and Special Times, as part of CONY's first-ever statewide fundraising event for charity held this past summer.
The fundraiser, with participation by CONY member campgrounds from across the state, raised a total of $42,416.25 for Camp Good Days and Special Times, a New York State-based organization providing camping experiences free of charge to children with cancer. CONY revealed the tally at a special ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 3, during its 49th Annual Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry, held at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park in Queenbury.
Since its inception, Camp Good Days has served more than 42,000 campers from 22 states and 25 foreign countries. The campground is located on the shores of Keuka Lake.
Article Photos
Pictured, from, left, are Matt Anderson; James McCauley, Jr., Camp Good Days PAVE director; and Mark Anderson. The Andersons own Camp Chautauqua in Stow. Matt Anderson is the Region 1 director serving on the CONY board of directors, and chaired the Camp Good Days fundraising event. Mark Anderson is a CONY Hall of Fame member and past president of the CONY board of directors.
Participating CONY campgrounds sold paper balloons and T-shirts, displayed change collection boxes, and hosted a variety of special events including walks, dinners, giveaways, auctions, to name a few. Several campgrounds pledged matching dollars to funds donated by their campers.
CONY member campgrounds will be fundraising again in 2013 for Camp Good Days.
CONY, headquartered in Pittsford, was founded in 1963. CONY 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 nycampgrounds.com and campcony.com.