Paul Newman
Hole in the Wall Gang Mission is Legendary
“One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men, No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.”
- Elbert Hubbard
Photography and story by Chris Brunson
Philanthropy is a big word that means doing the right thing to help others.
On an overcast May morning in 2003, the power of choices harnessed resulted in a cottage-sized treehouse buttressed by a grove of trees. On that grey day in rural Ashford, Connecticut, what was evident was that the action of determined people can ripple outward to business, community, and into the lives of families.
The Hole in the Wall Gang (HITWG) treehouse is situated at the camp that was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, actor, Connecticut resident, businessman, philanthropist. The camp mission is to provide love, hope and joy to children with cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS and other blood diseases.
Being sick is no picnic. Kind words, support and having fun matter. A lot.
Hence the treehouse, built by Forever Young Treehouses Inc. of Vermont, a company that specializes in accessibility projects.
The HITWG treehouse is the first engineered, architecturally designed, A.D.A.-compliant one ever built. It has the most extensive ramp structure ever built to accommodate wheelchairs for the sole purpose of play. The project was sponsored by Discover Card and provides campers a way to “get into the trees,” as the 600-square-foot house is 20 feet in the air and offers views of Pearson Pond.
HITWGC: Global Camps Helps Children, Families
It’s evident, though perhaps unspoken, that Paul Newman can win awards as an actor, race cars at Lime Rock, stay married, raise children who think for themselves and stand tall, and then top it off with being a successful business — who then donates all after-tax profits to a bevy of good causes.
The Hole in the Wall Gang is a nonprofit residential summer camp, an ingeniously designed- and well-equipped Wild West-styled hideout in northeastern Connecticut.
Camp-sponsored programs also provide healthcare professionals and social workers with support and training. Retreats are organized for children’s parents at resorts around the country to offer respite, counseling mutual support and positive activities, free.
The not-for-profit organization is totally supported by charitable contributions.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund has also helped to establish other camps by providing medical, programmatic, architectural, accounting and fundraising advice and financial support.
Each Hole in the Wall Camp is a separate entity with its own distinct personality. They all share a common theme: to build self-esteem and restore joy to children who suffer from serious illnesses.
Camps across the globe include Barretstown, Ireland; Camp Boggy Creek, Florida; Double H Ranch, Lake Luzerne, New York; L’Envol pour les enfants europeens, France; Jordan River Village, Israel; The Painted Turtle, Santa Monica, CA; The Victory Junction Gang, Randleman, NC; and The Africa Initiative.
For more information about corporate sponsorships or the camps, visit www.holeinthewallgang.org or call the Hole in the Wall Gang Fund, (203) 772-0522.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp welcomes Corporate Partners to share in our cause to serve children and families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.
To learn more about our Corporate Partnership Program, please visit our web site: www.holeinthewallgang.org/help/charity.asp
