Raleigh, N.C., March 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Corral Corporation (www.goldencorral.com) kicks off its annual fundraising campaign on April 1 in each of the company's restaurants throughout the United States. One hundred percent of the proceeds will support Camp Corral, a one-of-a-kind summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. With the help of its guests, Golden Corral hopes to raise $1.7 million in this year's campaign to send 3,200 military children to one of Camp Corral's week-long camps offered in 19 states this summer.
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 April 1 to May 31, and will collect donations from the restaurants' guests and franchises of the 500 Golden Corral restaurants. In 2014, Golden Corral raised more than $1.6 million that was used to send over 3,000 military children to a Camp Corral host camp.
"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. "Through our guests', franchise operators', and company's generosity, more than 3,200 military children will get the chance to experience one of Camp Corral's amazing summer camps this year, free of charge. We are pleased to help provide this wonderful opportunity."
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 Betsey Fortlouis, executive director 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 new 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 5151 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, NC 27612.
About Golden Corral Corporation
Golden Corral Corporation, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the franchisor of the Golden Corral restaurant system, which consists of more than 500 restaurants nationwide and is the owner and operator of 108 of those restaurants in the United States. 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.
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 23 camps in 19 states, and has served more than 6,500 children. 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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