Jack Kemp Community Service Award

DARIEN CENTER, NY Press release - PARC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PARC Management,  operator of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, today announced that Orchard Park, NY based Hunter's Hope Foundation is the first recipient of the annual Jack Kemp Community Service Award. 

At a presentation celebrating the life and work of Jack Kemp, PARC Management Chairman and CEO Randy Drew, spoke to the inspiration for the award as well as the selection of Hunter's Hope to receive this recognition.  "Jack Kemp served both the Western New York community and our country as a role model, public servant and tireless advocate of those less fortunate, especially children and families," said Drew.  "We are honored that the Kemp family has joined with the PARC Foundation to inaugurate an annual award that will both honor Mr. Kemp and inspire community service strengthening children and families through organizations such as Hunter's Hope."

The PARC Foundation was created to give employees, patrons, vendors and partners, and parks of PARC Management an inspiring way to give back to their community and join with us to strengthen children and families through the Foundation's recognition and support of local and national efforts to keep children and families safe and healthy, keep children in school, fight illiteracy, encourage healthy mentoring relationships, and support leadership development and higher education.

Jim Kelly and his wife Jill established Hunter's Hope Foundation in 1997 after their son Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe leukodystrophy, a rare and often fatal degenerative disorder affecting the nervous system.  Despite being told his health would decline rapidly and he would probably not live past thirteen months, Hunter lived to be eight years old.  The Foundation is the Kelly's life-long commitment to increase public awareness of leukodystrophies as well as to increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment.  The major goal and highest priority of Hunter's Hope Foundation is that every newborn in every state will be tested for every possible disease, saving the lives of thousands of children through newborn screening programs.  The Foundation also strives to fund research efforts to identify new treatments and therapies and a cure for Krabbe and other leukodystrophies. 

 "Hunter's Hope is truly honored to be the recipient of the Inaugural Jack Kemp Community Service Award from PARC Foundation," said Founders, Jim and Jill Kelly."  "Jack Kemp was a man of great integrity with heartfelt compassion for his fellow man.  He came alongside us when we founded Hunter's Hope, served on our Board of Director's and then continued as an Advisor until his passing," added the Kelly's.  We feel incredibly blessed to receive this award that carries his name."

During the presentation, Hunter's Hope CEO Jacque Waggoner accepted a commemorative plaque carved with the Jack Kemp Community Service Award logo and a carousel symbolizing the magic of childhood.  Additionally, a full-size, beautifully hand-painted carousel horse will be placed in Darien Lake Theme Park Resort's wishing well garden, creating a very visible and long-lasting reminder of the event.

Guests of the Western New York theme park may donate to the PARC Foundation by tossing their change into the wishing well pond where the Jack Kemp Community Service Award carousel will reside.  A plaque marking Hunter's Hope recognition will also be placed in the garden.

About PARC Management
PARC Management, a leader in entertainment management, owns and operates theme parks, water parks, and other entertainment properties throughout the US.  PARC Management properties include Frontier City and White Water Bay, Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, Elitch Gardens, Wild Waves Theme Park, Waterworld California, Splashtown, Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, Myrtle Waves, NASCAR SpeedParks and eleven family entertainment centers.  For more information, visit www.PARCmanagement.com.

About PARC Foundation
PARC Foundation's mission is to change the lives of kids and families in communities where we conduct business.  The Foundation seeks to help create healthy communities through financial support and partnerships with faith-based and community organizations with a focus on strengthening kids and families.  PARC Foundation is a 501©3 entity.