TANNERSVILLE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many, especially New Yorkers, know the significance of the number 343. But few know the sober reality of the number 181. FDNY lost 343 members on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 17 years after the worst terror attack in U.S. history, a staggering additional 181 line-of-duty deaths are directly linked to 9/11. All 181 were a result of various illnesses, the overwhelming majority of them cancers, linked to the toxic exposure during the FDNY’s rescue and recovery effort at the World Trade Center site. This number is only rising.
As part of a unique program, Camelback Gives Back, FDNY Foundation, FDNY Family Assistance Unit (FAU) and Camelback Resort in Tannersville, PA, joined forces to salute the NYC 9/11 First Responders and the families of both 343 and 181 with an invitation to simply get away and have a meaningful, fun-filled experience inside Aquatopia indoor waterpark.
"Our mission is to help FDNY families heal. Today, nearly two decades after 9/11, the average age of those courageous, FDNY first responders is 55. Many are now parents or grandparents," said Evelyn Tesoriero, Assistant Commissioner, Family Assistance Unit, FDNY. “Healing comes in many ways, so to work with Camelback Resort to offer a day of laughter and fun was a true blessing for so many of the FDNY families.”
See the story here: https://youtu.be/lIKbsoVTOTQ
The Camelback Gives Back program was established in 2016 to literally give back to the community by working with various groups in need to create memorable experiences at Camelback Resort. The mission of this program is to help deliver unforgettable, meaningful experiences for these special guests and to help them forget, if even for a day or two, about their daily struggles. Through this program, Camelback has also welcomed Purple Heart recipients, The Breasties, a special group of women affected by breast and ovarian cancer, and this year, families of FDNY’s 343 and 181.
“Camelback Resort serves over 1.6 million guests annually, and while for many years we also served the local community through Camelback’s Big Give, we saw the opportunity to make an even greater impact by launching Camelback Gives Back,” said Brian Czarnecki, President & COO. “And for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it’s not just about one day. We will continue to work with the FDNY Foundation to deliver memorable resort-wide experiences throughout 2019.”
To help increase awareness for the FDNY Foundation and the Family Assistance Unit, their story, as captured while at Camelback Resort, is airing on all of the major New York networks’ 6PM evening news, from Dec 3rd to Dec 7th 2019.
For more information, visit: https://www.camelbackresort.com/adventures/camelback-gives-back/.
About FDNY Foundation:
The FDNY Foundation, established in 1981, is the official not-for-profit organization of the New York City Fire Department. Its mission is to promote fire and life safety education and help the FDNY better protect New York. The FDNY Foundation funds awareness and outreach programs for the public, training and support for FDNY members and assists in providing the technology and equipment that helps keep the FDNY the premiere Fire Department in the world.
About Camelback Resort
Camelback Resort continues to reinvent itself since opening in 1963 with 14 trails and 3 lifts serving 41,656 skiers. Today, Camelback serves more than 1.6 million outdoor enthusiasts and visitors annually with 38 trails, 16 lifts and USA’s largest snowtubing park (with an out-of-this-world “Galactic” light experience) Camelback Mountain Adventures (featuring PA’s only mountain coaster and North America’s longest twin 4,000-foot Zip-Flyers), Camelbeach Waterpark (PA’s largest outdoor waterpark) and Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, voted USA Today’s 2018 #1 Indoor Waterpark. For more information, to purchase season passes, view live webcams, and to check schedule and operating hours visit: www.camelbackresort.com.
