Bob's Charitable Foundation Sends More Than 100 Children to the American Cancer Society's Camp Rising Sun

Bob's Charitable Foundation Provides the Ultimate Summer Experience to Children Diagnosed with Cancer

(Manchester, CT) August 6, 2009 –The Charitable Foundation of Bob's Discount Furniture, announced today that 2009 marks the 18th summer it will support the American Cancer Society’s Camp Rising Sun.  Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation will sponsor more than 100 campers to attend camp this year.  The weeklong overnight camp - held at Camp Jewell YMCA in Colebrook, Connecticut - caters to children 5-17 years old who are currently fighting or have had cancer.  Although it takes close to $200,000 a year to run the camp, enrollment is free of charge thanks to the yearly fundraising by local supporters, such as Bob’s Discount Furniture.  This year’s camp runs from Sunday, August 23 to Saturday, August 29 and camper slots are still available.  

Camp Rising Sun is staffed with trained counselors and medical professionals who are on hand 24 hours a day to provide aid based on individual camper needs.  In an effort to provide each child with the greatest camp experience the YMCA, situated on the shores of Triangle Lake, boasts 500 acres of beautiful land with a sandy beach waterfront and a working farm.  Campers have the opportunity to have fun, spend quality time with other children and put all stress aside while they enjoy the heated cabins, amphitheater, arts and crafts studio, basketball and tennis courts, and ropes course.

“Cancer is a disease that impacts us all and at Bob’s we are proud to support the American Cancer Society and Camp Rising Sun in their efforts to help some amazingly deserving young people,” said Bob Kaufman, president and founder of Bob’s Discount Furniture.  “The team here is always looking for ways to give back to the communities surrounding our stores, and we’re thrilled to make summer camp dreams come true for these kids.”

This week Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation held its 22nd annual golf outing which raised $275,000 in funds to benefit local charities, including Camp Rising Sun.  Each year the Charitable Foundation provides aid to hundreds of organizations and individuals, responding to more than 150 requests for charitable giving per week and distributing more than $1 million in furniture, gift certificates and monetary donations to social service agencies, charities, group homes, and community fundraisers in Bob’s communities. 

Additional details on Camp Rising Sun, including information on enrollment, can be found at www.camprisingsun.com.  For more information about Bob’s Discount Furniture and its Charitable Foundation, please visit www.mybobs.com/charity.

About Bob's Discount Furniture
Named the 2008 Furniture Retailer of the Year, with 33 stores located throughout New England, New Jersey and New York, Bob's Discount Furniture has built strong brand awareness and customer loyalty by providing quality furniture at everyday low prices, combined with a unique and enjoyable shopping experience. First-time visitors are pleasantly surprised by the comfortable atmosphere and vast selection of fashionable and affordable furniture that surpasses their "discount" expectations. As a part of the overall shopping experience, many locations have complimentary cafés featuring gourmet coffee, fresh baked cookies and candy, while other locations offer home theater and video arcade entertainment. For more information, visit www.mybobs.com.

About Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation
Through the Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation and Bob’s Outreach program, Bob Kaufman, Cathy Poulin and all of Bob's Discount Furniture employees support hundreds of nonprofit organizations with sponsorships and charitable contributions.  Among the many supported charities are Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Marshall House Youth and Family Emergency Shelter, National Conference for Community Justice, American Red Cross and Connecticut Children's Medical Center.  For more information about the foundation and Bob's Discount Furniture, visit www.mybobs.com/charity.

About Camp Rising Sun
Camp Rising Sun is a camp for children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Children ages 5 - 17 attend camp free of charge. In addition, the camp implemented in 2007 a 'Counselor in Training' program for 17 & 18 years old to apply for. Camp is staffed by volunteer counselors who give a week of their time, love and energy and a pediatric oncologist and three nurses on campus 24-hours a day to tend to medical needs.  Camp Rising Sun exists so that all who come can have fun, improve familiar skills, learn new skills and develop self-confidence by joining in camp activities in a secure positive place. Camp Rising Sun started with 8 children in its first year and has grown to over 100 campers. 2008 marked the 25th anniversary.  Children participate at their own level and take part in all activities under careful, qualified supervision.  We are pleased to announce that our camp is an accredited camp of the American Camping Association.   For more information about Camp Rising Sun, visit www.camprisingsun.com.