FOUNDERS
Our founders are a special group of sponsors and partners that are responsible for helping establish Victory Junction and its programs. Each of these organizations or individuals has found new and innovative ways to help raise awareness about Victory Junction and encourage others to join in the mission to change the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. With donations of $1 million dollars, this elite group will forever be a part of the Victory Junction family. Read below to learn more about Paul Newman’s story and how Kyle and Pattie got involved in his vision.
Newman's Own received scores of letters asking for help from parents of kids with serious illnesses, but tax rules prohibited the firm from making donations to individuals. Newman began pondering other ways to help these children. In 1986, he had an inspiration: why not build a place for kids who are too sick to go to ordinary camps? He'd name it The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp for the ragtag bandits from his film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
In 1988, Paul Newman opened and founded The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, for children with cancer and serious blood disorders. Since then, Newman founded camps in New York, Florida, Ireland, France and California. He wanted to give kids the chance to "kick back, relax and have lots of fun!" He insisted that the camps' focus be about fun and that it be free of charge for the campers and their families.
Recognized throughout the motor sports community for his philanthropic spirit, Kyle has dedicated much of his time away from the track to helping others. Since its inception in 1995, the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has donated more than $9 million to worthy organizations.
Pattie Petty also is well known for her philanthropic activities. In addition to Victory Junction, she is on the board of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, has served as a board member of Brenner Children's Hospital and is a past president of the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary. She holds a masters' degree in Child Developmental Psychology and undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Development.
In October 2000, Kyle and Pattie partnered with actor Paul Newman to launch their most ambitious project-to-date, Victory Junction. The project was founded in honor of their son, Adam (the first fourth-generation professional athlete in the United States), who died in May 2000 during practice for a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Paul Newman
Oddly, the saga of the camp began with salad dressing. In 1982, Paul Newman and his friend, author A.E. Hotchner, established Newman's Own Foods to market the actor's personal recipe with the profits earmarked for charity. The salad dressing was such a hit that the company branched into spaghetti sauce, popcorn, salsa and lemonade. Soon, the profits reached millions.Newman's Own received scores of letters asking for help from parents of kids with serious illnesses, but tax rules prohibited the firm from making donations to individuals. Newman began pondering other ways to help these children. In 1986, he had an inspiration: why not build a place for kids who are too sick to go to ordinary camps? He'd name it The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp for the ragtag bandits from his film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
In 1988, Paul Newman opened and founded The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, for children with cancer and serious blood disorders. Since then, Newman founded camps in New York, Florida, Ireland, France and California. He wanted to give kids the chance to "kick back, relax and have lots of fun!" He insisted that the camps' focus be about fun and that it be free of charge for the campers and their families.
Kyle & Pattie Petty
A fixture on the NASCAR circuit for more than 25 years, Kyle Petty is one of the few third-generation athletes competing in professional sports, following in the footsteps of his father, Richard, and grandfather, Lee.Recognized throughout the motor sports community for his philanthropic spirit, Kyle has dedicated much of his time away from the track to helping others. Since its inception in 1995, the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has donated more than $9 million to worthy organizations.
Pattie Petty also is well known for her philanthropic activities. In addition to Victory Junction, she is on the board of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, has served as a board member of Brenner Children's Hospital and is a past president of the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary. She holds a masters' degree in Child Developmental Psychology and undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Development.
In October 2000, Kyle and Pattie partnered with actor Paul Newman to launch their most ambitious project-to-date, Victory Junction. The project was founded in honor of their son, Adam (the first fourth-generation professional athlete in the United States), who died in May 2000 during practice for a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Victory Junction Founders
