About the Camp...
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to more than 25,000 seriously ill children and family members annually – all completely free of charge. For many of these children and families, Hole in the Wall provides multiple Camp experiences throughout the year at the facility in Ashford, Conn., in more than 40 hospitals and clinics, directly in camper homes and communities, and through other outreach activities across the Northeast.
About Miss Quitadamo
Her Story...
An elementary school teacher for 41 years, Miss Quitadamo spent the past 30 years working for the Worcester Public Schools at Nelson Place. Over the years, she shared her passion for the Camp with many of her students and their families that became inspired to embark on various fundraisers and collected much needed items for the Camp and the children that it serves.
Her Character...
“As part of character education, I always encouraged my students to look for heroes in their everyday lives and I often share my heroes with them,” explains Miss Quitadamo. “In the fall of 2008, I shared with my fourth grade students that one of my heroes, Paul Newman, had passed away. I told them about Newman’s Own Foundation and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and how his philanthropy inspired me."
Her Compassion...
Miss Quitadamo’s compassion for the Camp inspired many of her students and their families to get involved. Students used their persuasive writing skills to pen essays asking for Camp donations. It inspired a collaboration of poetry which would be published and sold two times, with profits benefiting the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. All editing, copying and binding were donated ensuring the Camp would receive the optimal benefit from these efforts.
