RALEIGH, N.C. , March 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Corral Corporation (www.goldencorral.com) kicks off its annual fundraising campaign on March 28 in restaurants nationwide. One hundred percent of the proceeds will support Camp Corral, a free summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. Through the generous contributions of its valued guests and restaurant teams, Golden Corral aims to raise $1.6 million in this year’s campaign to send thousands of military children to Camp Corral’s week-long camp sessions offered across the nation.
Golden Corral is a long-standing supporter of American veterans and is committed to honoring military families and service members. The company was the founding sponsor of Camp Corral in 2011, and continues to provide generous support to the organization, now a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation. This year’s fundraising campaign runs from March 28 to June 19, and will collect donations from the restaurants’ guests, on Golden Corral’s social media platforms, and through the company’s email club. Noted actor and humanitarian, Gary Sinise – founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which backs many veterans causes – has long been a supporter of Camp Corral and his previously recorded public service announcement continues to be used to encourage support of the fundraiser. Over the past five years, Golden Corral has raised over $5 million dollars and more than 10,000 military children have attended Camp Corral.
“Our company and franchise operators share a deep commitment to support children from military families, especially those with parents who have been wounded, disabled or fallen during service to our country,” said Lance Trenary, president and CEO of Golden Corral. “We are pleased to be a part of such an important cause and provide an amazing summer camp experience for these young heroes.”
Camp Corral is a one-week camp experience where kids, ages 8 to 15, are free to be kids, far away from the day-to-day challenges they face as military children. Headquartered in Raleigh, Camp Corral works closely with some of the best camps around the United States to host each session. Each host camp is accredited by the American Camp Association or operates under its standards, and has been carefully selected to provide campers with a caring, nurturing and safe environment – one in which each camper is valued. Host camps provide activities that are fun, new and challenging, such as archery, horseback riding and ropes course challenges, under the watchful eye of highly trained staff. Additionally, a military and family life counselor is available on site at each camp. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Camp Corral is offered free of charge to military families.
“We are very thankful for the support Golden Corral and its guests give to our organization,” said Mary Beth Hernandez, chief executive officer of Camp Corral. “Because of this generosity, deserving children from military families across the country will have the opportunity to experience the ‘week of a lifetime’ learning new skills, creating lasting friendships and taking time to enjoy being a kid.”
Golden Corral encourages the public to visit one of its restaurants during the campaign and make a donation to support this important program. Contributions to Camp Corral can also be made directly on the organization’s website, www.campcorral.org, or mailed to the Camp Corral office located at 801 N. West Street, Raleigh North Carolina 27603.
About Golden Corral Corporation
Golden Corral, based in Raleigh, N.C., is the nation’s largest grill-buffet restaurant chain with 484 restaurants operating in 41 states as of January 1, 2016. Founded in 1971, Golden Corral specializes in offering unmatched quality, variety and value to its dining guests in a comfortable and casual buffet setting at an everyday affordable price. Golden Corral is famous for its variety, including USDA steaks cooked to order, rotisserie chicken, awesome pot roast, hot yeast rolls, and desserts like homemade carrot cake and the Chocolate Wonderfall®. For more information, visit www.goldencorral.com.
About Camp Corral
Camp Corral, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation, is a free, one-of-a-kind summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. Since its founding in 2011 by Golden Corral, Camp Corral has grown to 21 camps in 19 states and has served more than 10,000 children. In 2016, Camp Corral launched a Fifth Anniversary Campaign with the goal to raise funds to send more military kids to camp. Although any child ages 8 to 15 from a military family is eligible, registration priority is given to children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. For more information, visit www.campcorral.org.
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