Camp Korey supporters raise $1.5 million at Grow Dinner & Auction

On September 10th, 2022, more than 170 supporters, camp families, volunteers, and staff gathered "Around the Campfire," for Camp Korey's signature Grow Auction and Dinner. Throughout the evening, generosity flowed, raising $1,500,000, and warming the hearts of campers with life-altering medical conditions and ensuring they have a place to experience adaptive programming designed to meet their needs and enjoy the adventure of camp all year long.

Chaired by camper mom Ember Fry and Camp Korey board Vice President Sue Colbourne, the event began with a tour of three new cabins and a reception held in the newly completed 14,000 sq ft Recreation Center—a versatile open court space used by campers to play basketball, climb rock walls, share stories, and play games with their cabin mates. These new spaces help kids have fun regardless of the weather and increases the number of kids Camp Korey can serve.

Guests continued their tour to the newly expanded Harnish Hive dining hall, where chefs from Della Terra stayed true to their philosophy of using the freshest local ingredients with a delicious dinner of red wine braised short ribs, paired with custom “wish flag” labelled wine by Hedges Family Estate.

Surrounded by lantern light and the magic of camp, auctioneer Matt Lorch and emcee Cassidy Huff opened the live auction with sounds of laughter, gracious and bold bidding, and heartwarming stories shared by campers and their families. Cassidy Huff, a 19-year-old former Camp Korey camper from Des Moines, WA, is now a singer, dancer, actress, and disability rights advocate living in Hollywood, CA. She currently attends the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and flew to Seattle just to emcee Camp Korey’s event. Cass brought the house down with a lively performance of Barbara Streisand’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from the musical Funny Girl. Camp Korey then surprised her with a video in which actor William Shatner wished her luck.

Notable moments of the evening included Deadliest Catch’s Captain Keith presenting an Alaskan King Crab platter as the first item for bidding, which raised $6,000. The night continued with a celebration of a $500,000 leadership gift from Camp Korey founder Tim Rose, whose heartfelt speech about the importance of camp set the tone for the evening. Diane Bundrant shared a moving tribute to her late husband and founder of Trident Seafoods, Chuck Bundrant, noting the importance of ADA-accessible facilities for people with mobility challenges. Along with Joe Bundrant, the Bundrant Family announced a generous $300,000 leadership gift to help expand Camp’s ability to serve more campers. The room broke into applause when Camp Korey board member Sid Andrews raised his bid card at $100,000, and Niagara Bottling CEO Andy Peykoff took home the largest catch when he was the $100,000 winning bidder on an Alaskan Sport Fishing package donated by Trident Seafoods.

For many kids, camp is a home away from home. It’s a safe place to try new things, feel seen, and belong. Event sponsorship by The Clorox Company, Abercrombie & Fitch, Co., Continental Mills, Darigold, Crider Foods, John L. Scott Foundation, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Lydig Construction, Mountain Pacific Bank, Niagara Bottling, Seattle Children's Skeletal Health & Dysplasia Department, Trident Seafoods, Costco Meat Plants, and Multicare Tacoma General Hospital allowed all donations raise to directly benefit camper programming.

Cass Huff drew one of many standing ovations when she ended the event with an encore signing performance. The room erupted into cheers and applause when Cass announced the evening’s grant total, telling the room, “You’re making so many dreams come true for kids just like me--and families just like mine.”

On September 10th, 2022, more than 170 guests, supporters, camp families, and staff gathered "Around the Campfire," for Camp Korey's signature Grow Auction and Dinner. Throughout the evening, generosity flowed, raising more than $1,500,000, warming the hearts of campers with life-altering diseases and ensuring they have a place to experience adaptive programming designed to meet their needs and enjoy the adventure of camp all year long.

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Founded in 2005, Camp Korey is a 501 c 3 nonprofit dedicated to creating empowering, adaptive year-round programs for children and their families dealing with life-altering medical conditions, completely free of charge. In 2012 Camp Korey became an official member of SeriousFun Children’s Network founded by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. Camp serves thousands of children and families each year with weeklong summer camp sessions, year-round Camp to You, family weekends, young adult retreats, and more. Camp Korey, like all SeriousFun Camps, remains 100% free to all campers and families, relying on the generosity of the community for support. Camp Korey has continued to grow to support more than 90 major medical condition groups, and more than 40,000 kids and families have been served since camp was founded.