One of Care Camps long-time supporters, Southeast Publications, has reached an incredible milestone in charitable giving. After years of supporting the charity started by many of their customers in the Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) system, Southeast Publications (SEPI) has now donated more than $500,000 to support Care Camps to help kids with cancer experience the hope, happiness, and healing power of the outdoors through special oncology camps.
“In 1994, our founder Peter Warrick felt the need to give back to the camping industry,” said SEPI’s owner Kim Warrick. “After a lot of research, SEPI decided that helping send kids with cancer to camp was our passion. Care Camps became Southeast Publications charity of choice.”
Over the past 27 years, Southeast Publications and its team have raised donations through employee-led auction events, with SEPI owners matching the donations that were raised. Thanks to their generosity, SEPI and their team have donated more than $500,000. In addition, SEPI has donated over $200,000 worth of in-kind donations to support Care Camps programs, including website design, marketing, and print services, making them one of Care Camps’ largest donors.
“Our priorities start with taking care of our customers and building relationships,” noted Warrick. “It is our joy to be able to support the charity founded by our customers and give back to make sure these kids get the chance to experience the amazing power of camping and the outdoors and just be a kid again.”
Southeast Publications/SEPI Marketing has been servicing outdoor hospitality organizations for over 35 years, offering free products and services including Southeast Publications Guest Guide Services, MYSites Reservations System, and the MobileRVing.com Marketing Platform. Like most RV resorts and campgrounds, SEPI Marketing is a family-run business.
Care Camps now raises funding to serve kids in every community in the U.S. and Canada. What began as a handful of campground owners doing fundraisers to support three camps has grown to support 135 special oncology camps serving kids with cancer and their families across North America. Care Camps was originally founded by the KOA Owner’s Association, and the KOA system is still their largest donor each year.
As the number of children needing this experience has grown substantially, Care Camps support has grown to include many other campgrounds and outdoor industry businesses. Today, the number of kids experiencing hope, healing, and happiness at camp has grown tremendously, all thanks to fundraisers and donations from companies such as KOA, Forest River, Patrick Industries, THOR, Dometic, Lippert, and of course, Southeast Publications.
“Southeast Publications has been one of Care Camps’ most loyal partners for over two decades, and we are so excited to celebrate this milestone with them,” said Wade Elliott, Care Camps’ Board Chairman. “Care Camps was founded by campground owners, and the camping and RV industry remains the heart and soul of this charity. This cause helps thousands of kids with cancer across the U.S. and Canada experience the healing power of the outdoors. A huge thank you to Southeast Publications for the incredible dedication they have shown to help these kids. We need more partners like you.”
This article first ran in Woodall’s Campground Management.