SJYPA Donates $100,000 to YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties’ Camp No Worries®

Camp No Worries, a program of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, was recently presented with a $100,000 check donation from the South Jersey Young Professional Association (SJYPA). The donation, the result of SJYPA’s largest fundraising event, Halo Ball, was the single largest donation in the history of both organizations.

SJYPA held their 8th Annual Halo Ball, an annual semi-formal gala benefiting a well-deserving local charity, to raise money and awareness for the YMCA’s Camp No Worries. This year’s event, held on March 4, was attended by nearly 400 professionals and marked the conclusion of SJYPA’s three-year partnership with Camp No Worries. SJYPA’s Halo Ball 2015 raised $50,000 and Halo Ball 2016 raised $70,000 for Camp No Worries.

Camp No Worries is a volunteer-led weeklong summer camp open to children with cancer and their siblings. The camp offers the children the opportunity to have fun and forget about their troubles. It costs approximately $1,000 per camper for a week at Camp No Worries. The dedicated volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that no family has to bear the financial burden of camp.

SJYPA is South Jersey’s largest and most dynamic organization of charitable young professionals. Representing the best and the brightest working men and women (ages 21-45), the SJYPA unites talented individuals who are invested in making a lasting, positive impact in their community.

Photo: (Left to right) Jose Salbabaro; Dan McGovern; Gary Shickora; Katie Eisenmann, Vice-President, SJYPA; Regina Phillips, President, SJYPA; Kasey Massa, Founder, Camp No Worries; Kevin Falkenstein; Jason Leibowitz; Jordan Rosenblatt, Secretary, SJYPA; Meredith Lorrilliere.

About Camp No Worries

Camp No Worries was founded by the Hall/Massa family in 1995 after experiencing first-hand the physical and psychological aspects of a cancer diagnosis. At 11 years of age, Kasey Hall Massa was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Although the tumor was removed with minimal side effects, the emotional strain of the recovery process made it a difficult time for the entire Hall family. As a result of what they learned throughout Kasey’s diagnosis, treatment and recovery process, Camp No Worries was established by the Hall family and is a program of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties.

In its first year, Camp No Worries hosted 14 children for four short days. The following summer, the camp expanded to host 72 children for a full-week. Now in its 22nd season, Camp No Worries accommodates up to 100 children.

About the Y

The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is a cause-driven, community based, charitable organization that strengthens community by building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults and families. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the community's health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Throughout neighborhoods across the two counties and its 70+ sites, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 37,500 people each year to learn, grow and thrive. Visit ymca-bc.org.