Roundup River Ranch raises nearly $600,000 at spring gala
Funds raised allow camp to continue providing life-changing experiences free of charge
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Roundup River Ranch, a nonprofit that offers children with life-altering diagnoses free, medically-supported camp programs and other opportunities to embrace joy, raised $598,000 at its annual Denver fundraising event, A Taste of Camp, on May 16 at The Cable Center. Money raised at the event will go toward creating free programs and serving thousands of children living with cancer, blood disorders, organ transplants and other rare and life-altering conditions.
“The funds raised at A Taste of Camp will enable us to continue our impactful programs and offerings, reach more children, and uphold our commitment to putting our campers first,” said Sarah Johnson, president and CEO of Roundup River Ranch, which is located in Eagle County and is part of the Paul Newman SeriousFun network of camps that has locations worldwide. “Together, with the help of our supporters, volunteers and donors, we’re making a profound difference in the lives of children with life-altering illnesses and their families.”
The event featured camper performances and stories, a cocktail hour, an evening program, dinner, live auction and a paddle raise. With “Embrace Joy” as the 2024 camp theme, Tatum, a Roundup River Ranch camper, shared her medical journey and how the impact of camp was more powerful than any treatment or medication available. Tatum expressed her gratitude for the life-changing opportunity the nonprofit has provided her, sharing, “Roundup River Ranch changed my life when I needed a new way to keep on living.”
Clea Newman-Soderlund, a SeriousFun ambassador and daughter of SeriousFun founder Paul Newman, presented Keith Weisz, MD, with this year’s Superhero Award for his dedication to leaving a profound, heroic impact at camp and being an instrumental medical professional providing leadership and volunteer support to the camp.
“Attending A Taste of Camp is like coming home to a family that truly understands and supports my father’s vision. He always wanted to create a space where kids living with serious illnesses could just be kids,” said Newman-Soderlund. “Roundup River Ranch embodies his dream of a place where kids can escape the fear and isolation of their medical conditions, and events like this keep his legacy alive in the most meaningful way.”
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Dr. Weisz met Paul Newman 23 years ago while volunteering at his first summer camp with the organization.
“I wish I could have said, ‘Thank you,’ because his vision has changed my life — more than anything I could have ever imagined. Camp is one of the greatest things I’ve ever been a part of. To be honored for doing something I absolutely love is really special,” Weisz said.
A Taste of Camp was made possible by sponsors Greer and Jack Gardner, Debbi and Lee Alpert, Carolyn and Byron Craig, Huntington Bank, Wagner Equipment, Alpine Bank, Alterra Mountain Company, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, Children’s Hospital Colorado — Breathing Institute, DaVita, Wintrust, First Western Trust and Parkside Financial Bank and Trust.
Roundup River Ranch will host fundraising events in the Vail Valley this summer. The Bullseye Roundup will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8, at Casteel Creek near Edwards and A Grateful Harvest will be held at camp north of Dotsero on Saturday, Aug. 10. To learn more, buy tickets and see how you can get involved, visit RoundupRiverRanch.org/Events. For more information on Roundup River Ranch, visit RoundupRiverRanch.org.
