The New Balance Foundation, the charitable giving arm of New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., is helping the celebrations of Camp Sunshine's 30th anniversary with a gift of 300 000 USD challenge to encourage support for the national retreat in Maine for children with life threatening diseases and their families. The foundation will match the dollars raised through Camp Sunshine's new Go the Distance campaign, which challenges supporters to fundraise while participating in various distinct endurance events across the country throughout the year.

"We are so thrilled and honored to get this tremendous boost from the New Balance Foundation, which has been a strong supporter, both in financial contributions and volunteer hours, for many years," says Anna Gould, board chair and co-founder of Camp Sunshine.

The New Balance Foundation’s mission is “to support charitable organizations whose humanitarian efforts work for the betterment of our children and communities with a principal focus on promoting healthy lifestyles while working towards the prevention of childhood obesity. In service of this mission, the Foundation is committed to supporting grassroots children's initiatives in the communities in which New Balance operates facilities”, can be read in their website.

Since its establishment in 1981, the Foundation has developed partnerships to promote a wide range of initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, children's fitness and overall community improvement.  According to information made available by the foundation, they have granted a total of more than 40 million USD, with an annual grant over 6.2 million USD in 2010 (a massive growth from the annual 30 000 USD grants in 1981).

The core focus has been the prevention of childhood obesity, as it is their belief that this will significantly contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of the communities. Some of the secondary program areas include Education & Athletics, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture and Environment. The foundation is also an American Red Cross Disaster Responder Partner through an annual donation of 250 thousand USD. As the focus of the foundation is on the local communities, Massachusetts (Boston and Lawrence) and Maine (Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Norway) are natural choices considering the New Balance history. Boston, home to the company's worldwide headquarters and to a team of more than 500 associates; and Lawrence, 25 miles north of Boston, home of the original New Balance Athletic Shoe in 1978, which currently employs 685 associates.  Maine, with a strong heritage in shoe making, was a perfect fit for New Balance to expand its manufacturing in 1981, and the company is the only athletic footwear maker currently present in the state. Here, facilities in three different communities (Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Norway) operate employing approximately 950 Maine residents.

Camp Sunshine supports children with life threatening illnesses, such as cancer, kidney disease, lupus, solid organ transplants, and their families, through their one week-long camp programs. The sponsorship for the participation of one family in the week-long program is 2 thousand USD, and the Family Sponsorship Program provides a way for donors to sponsor a family or families from their geographic area. The focus is on alleviating the strain that a life threatening illness takes on the sick child and on other family members, while it allows an opportunity to share experiences with other families in similar circumstances. Free quality services are provided at the camp including accommodations and meals, onsite medical services, counseling services, and recreational facilities. Medical facilities and professional staff are also available.

For more information about the New Balance Foundation please visit the website:
http://www.newbalancefoundation.org/index.htm