Governor and First Lady LePage Visit Camp Sunshine

Augusta, Maine - This morning Governor Paul LePage and First Lady Ann LePage visited and toured Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Camp Sunshine is one of the only programs in the nation with a mission to address the impact of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family. Last year alone, more than 700 families from across the U.S. attended one of 25 weeklong sessions held throughout the year. Each family is sponsored by an individual, civic group, corporation, or foundation, so that there is no charge to participating families.

While there, the Governor and First Lady acknowledge the hard work put in by Maine National Guard's 133rd Engineering Battalion in constructing many much-needed improvements at the retreat, including installing a fence, shingling, and repairing a bridge. This marks the fourth summer since 1992 that the 133rd battalion has supported the Maine charity.

"I am thrilled to know that places like Camp Sunshine and our Maine National Guard have made these children and their families a priority," said First Lady LePage.

Camp Sunshine's partnership with the Maine Army National Guard started in 1992 when soldiers from the 133rd helped clear and stump the grounds of what would become the permanent campus. In addition to clearing and grading the property, soldiers constructed roads and drainage.

"I want to wish Camp Sunshine and the Maine National Guard the best of luck going forward, you are changing the lives for families all over our state," said Governor LePage

For more information about Camp Sunshine, http://www.campsunshine.org