Foundation helps send kids to summer camp and college
BOCA RATON, Fla. (June 2013) — Over 350 dinner guests and 120 golfers recently joined at The 20th Annual Nicholas R. Chiera Dinner Auction and Golf Classic to support kids cancer week at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, FL. The dinner took place at the Delray Beach Marriott followed by golf the next day at the Parkland Golf and Country Club.
For the past twenty years, the Chiera family has helped send thousands of kids to summer camp and over twenty young adults who have beaten cancer to college. This event has raised over $2.8 million since it began in 1993.
This year’s Big Fat Italian Dinner featured the “Singing Waiters,” and a wonderful Italian dinner and live auction. Live auction items included diamond earrings from Gregory’s fine Jewelers and one week stay’s in condo’s and private homes in Kaanapali, Hawaii, Las Vegas, NV, Park City, Utah and Martha’s Vineyard on Cape Cod. Some of the highest bid items for the evening included tickets to a Rolling Stones concert in Las Vegas along with a five day all expenses paid stay at the Aria Hotel.
The Chiera Family Foundation and their board of trustees announced that, beginning in 2014, they will become a sponsor of cancer week at Camp Boggy Creek. At the dinner, they unveiled the new N.I.C.K.’s Camp logo (see below). The Chiera family started this event as a tribute to their father Nicholas Chiera who passed away from cancer back in 1989. N.I.C.K.’s camp stands for Nothing’s Impossible for Cancer Kids.
“After we found out that the American Cancer Society was shifting their mission towards Pediatric cancer research, we immediately contacted Camp Boggy Creek and told them that we wanted to stay involved and continue sending kids to camp,” said Louis Chiera, Board member and Trustee. “Seeing the week of camp named after our Dad is such an honor.”
“What’s been accomplished through this event has been amazing and Camp Boggy Creek is honored to be the beneficiary,” said June Clark, President and CEO of Camp Boggy Creek. “The money raised from the event will help send more children to camp and we could not be happier.”
The evening’s guest speakers included children who have attended the camp as well as young adults who are now going to college on scholarships provided by generous donations. The Haupt, Rubin, Cobb, Leeds, Herman, and Chiera families have all sponsored young adults who have beaten cancer with college scholarships in their family names.
Founded in 1996, Camp Boggy Creek is a year-round medical camp for children with serious illnesses. Co-founded by actor/philanthropist Paul Newman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the camp offers week-long summer sessions and family retreat weekends at no charge to the children or families. Located in Eustis, FL, the 232-acre nonprofit serves children ages 7–16 that have been diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening conditions. The camp is entirely funded by generous donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and healthcare partners. Camp Boggy Creek is a proud member of SeriousFun Children’s Network. Learn more by visiting www.campboggycreek.org.
For more information on how you can participate in next year’s event or send a kid to N.I.C.K.’s Camp, feel free to contact Lou Chiera at 954-480-8809.
