BY GRACE WAHLE

PALS Advancement Coordinator

Energy, joy, and passion - PALS Summer 2023 brought the mission of our organization across 18 programs with 1,200 Participants. As we jammed out to karaoke, visited the beach, and had the funniest moments in the residence hall together, the life changing experience of PALS is transformative. Participants and Volunteers across the country shared about their experiences, specifically by supporting and bringing energy to their personal fundraising pages. Peer-to-Peer fundraising during Summer 2023 spread the PALS Magic to thousands of individuals who weren’t attending a program.

Together, PALS Participants raised over $70,000 this summer, receiving over 1,114 donations. This is INCREDIBLE! Thanks to each and every participant who supported our fundraising efforts especially during programs with some friendly competition.

Our two Philadelphia programs got really into the competitive spirit. During the week of our 100th program, participants shared their pages along with stories and pictures, inviting family and friends to be a part of the PALS Magic. To further drive the competition, the program with the most donations got to pie the Program Leads! Philadelphia 2 was victorious, raising over $7,000! As a celebration of both camps’ success in receiving 100 donations in honor of the 100th camp, PALS Co-Founders, Jenni Newbury Ross and Jason Toff, treated everyone to a juice bar - a really refreshing treat!

On the other side of the country, PALS San Francisco stepped up their fundraising game and sent a video to PALS Cleveland and PALS New Jersey (in memory of David Frieri) to bring on the competition. San Fran shared an ice cream bar together after raising $7,500! PALS Chicago and PALS Maine had some friendly competition, too, with several participants choosing to match the gifts their friends and families were making.The energy and dedication shown at each program this summer was spectacular.

Thank you to all of the PALS Participants this summer who shared about their experience and supported the mission of PALS through personal fundraising pages. With 385 pages created and $70,173 raised, that is the PALS Magic in action!