“What’s better than kids helping kids?” asks Marc Honigfeld.
Honigfeld is proud of his kids — numbering over 500. He’s the director of Trails End Camp in Berlin Township, a camp his family has owned since 1986.
It’s the third year that they’ve held a Midnight Madness Sports-A-Thon, an overnight event that raises money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Leadership trainees, the oldest campers, send out fundraising letters seeking donations; and campers compete in volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer and more.
In the first two years combined, they raised over $45,000. They hoped to raise around $15,000 from Saturday’s 12-hour event. As of Tuesday, they’d raised $12,500 and counting.
It’s personal for the campers. Honigfeld says just about everyone knows someone who’s been touched by the disease. “A grandparent, a parent, someone they know has been touched by cancer. So, what’s better than kids helping kids to overcome or support research for cancer?” he said.
“All 200 kids that are eighth grade and above are a part of the event. It’s a struggle, come the middle of the night, trying to stay up for 12 hours. At 3 o’clock in the morning, you’d see a bunch of kids pushing to go through it,” he says with a smile in his voice. “But it is something that they can’t wait for. I think they love the concept of doing something for others. Also, it becomes larger than life itself, just completing the event ...They all want to do it again, and again and again.”
Their comments prove his words true. “I think it’s a great opportunity to be able to give back to kids who are less fortunate,” says 15-year-old Ariana Bloom of Roslyn, NY. “It’s just a great feeling at the end.”
Sami Secker of Great Neck, Long Island, NY, expressed the same sentiment. “You feel accomplished when it’s over. You’ve done something good,” she said. “I know people who have survived cancer. And people who have passed away from cancer.”
Honigfeld knows each camper by name. He can’t praise their efforts enough. “These children grow up from seven to 15 years-old, in our lives, so they’re our kids. So, just like a parent would be, I’m so proud of all they accomplish. I have my daughter for the first time is involved in the event. She’s an eighth grader. And I’m just proud in the sense of giving back ...We’re teaching them at the earliest ages what it’s about. And we’re hoping that they go on in life to give a part of their life,” he said, whether through time, raising money or making a donation to a worthwhile cause..
In past, the kids have helped with the area senior centers, Communities that Care after school program, Go Joe XII to benefit St. Joseph’s Center, area food pantries, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and more.
“These are kids coming from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, big city kids. And they come into the area and they care about the community a lot more than people even think. And they’re not just passing through; they’re forever connected. We always say 18405 is always in their lives, which is the zipcode for Beach Lake ...Doing this type of project and the other community service stuff that we’ve done this year has been invaluable for them, and I think giving back to this community that we love.”
Trails End Camp is in its 63rd year.
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“What’s better than kids helping kids?” asks Marc Honigfeld.
Honigfeld is proud of his kids — numbering over 500. He’s the director of Trails End Camp in Berlin Township, a camp his family has owned since 1986.
It’s the third year that they’ve held a Midnight Madness Sports-A-Thon, an overnight event that raises money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Leadership trainees, the oldest campers, send out fundraising letters seeking donations; and campers compete in volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer and more.
In the first two years combined, they raised over $45,000. They hoped to raise around $15,000 from Saturday’s 12-hour event. As of Tuesday, they’d raised $12,500 and counting.
It’s personal for the campers. Honigfeld says just about everyone knows someone who’s been touched by the disease. “A grandparent, a parent, someone they know has been touched by cancer. So, what’s better than kids helping kids to overcome or support research for cancer?” he said.
“All 200 kids that are eighth grade and above are a part of the event. It’s a struggle, come the middle of the night, trying to stay up for 12 hours. At 3 o’clock in the morning, you’d see a bunch of kids pushing to go through it,” he says with a smile in his voice. “But it is something that they can’t wait for. I think they love the concept of doing something for others. Also, it becomes larger than life itself, just completing the event ...They all want to do it again, and again and again.”
Their comments prove his words true. “I think it’s a great opportunity to be able to give back to kids who are less fortunate,” says 15-year-old Ariana Bloom of Roslyn, NY. “It’s just a great feeling at the end.”
Sami Secker of Great Neck, Long Island, NY, expressed the same sentiment. “You feel accomplished when it’s over. You’ve done something good,” she said. “I know people who have survived cancer. And people who have passed away from cancer.”
Honigfeld knows each camper by name. He can’t praise their efforts enough. “These children grow up from seven to 15 years-old, in our lives, so they’re our kids. So, just like a parent would be, I’m so proud of all they accomplish. I have my daughter for the first time is involved in the event. She’s an eighth grader. And I’m just proud in the sense of giving back ...We’re teaching them at the earliest ages what it’s about. And we’re hoping that they go on in life to give a part of their life,” he said, whether through time, raising money or making a donation to a worthwhile cause..
In past, the kids have helped with the area senior centers, Communities that Care after school program, Go Joe XII to benefit St. Joseph’s Center, area food pantries, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and more.
“These are kids coming from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, big city kids. And they come into the area and they care about the community a lot more than people even think. And they’re not just passing through; they’re forever connected. We always say 18405 is always in their lives, which is the zipcode for Beach Lake ...Doing this type of project and the other community service stuff that we’ve done this year has been invaluable for them, and I think giving back to this community that we love.”
Trails End Camp is in its 63rd year.
