Courtesy photo Texas Roadhouse “Roadies” and managing partners presenting Camp Sunshine staff, volunteers and attending families with a new, co-branded van at the Texas Roadhouse Oncology Session.

CASCO, MAINE – Managing Partners from 17 Texas Roadhouse locations throughout New England, as well as six individuals from the Texas Roadhouse Corporate office in Louisville, Ky., visited Camp Sunshine for the Texas Roadhouse Oncology Session. Not only did the long-time corporate partner raise enough to fully sponsor the oncology session at Camp Sunshine, they also raised enough money to purchase a new, co-branded van to be purchased for the camp that camp directors indicated will greatly improve their transport capability.

“We are very grateful for the generous donation and continued support of the Texas Roadhouse staff,” said Michael Katz, Camp Sunshine’s executive director. “This van will create more opportunities at camp for our visiting families and help ensure transportation availability, while also assisting in spreading awareness.”

Impacted by the organization and the work they do for families across the country, the restaurants wanted to do more after their first visit to Camp Sunshine five years ago. Since then, the chains hold an annual campaign selling paper sunshines at each of their 17 locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

In May, over 100 “roadies” representing each of the Texas Roadhouse locations presented Camp Sunshine with a $112,000 check during their annual clean-up day at the camp. This amount was enough to fully sponsor last week’s oncology session, and allowed 40 children with cancer and their families the ability to attend Camp Sunshine free of charge. In addition to the sponsorship and van, the roadies volunteered during the week preparing a barbecue lunch and a special gourmet dinner for parents.

“Camp Sunshine gives families the encouraging atmosphere that is hard to find when faced with these adversities,” said Michael Halpern, market partner at Texas Roadhouse. “Texas Roadhouse is proud to support Camp Sunshine and its noble mission.”

Camp Sunshine is an award-winning retreat on the shores of Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. At the camp, attending families join other families on similar journeys and experience the benefits of empathy and encouragement, recovery and recreation, and hope and inspiration.