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Woodforest Charitable Foundation makes a $7,000 donation to Camp Big Sky
…a natural, beautiful and safe environment where exhilarating experiences and joyful memories are made...

Camp Big Sky Receives $7,000 Donation

FARMINGTON, IL (March 29, 2010) – Millions of Americans are drawn to the outdoors.  Many of us grew up fishing, hunting, camping, boating, hiking and participating in a number of other outdoor activities.  However, one in five Americans is not able to experience the outdoors due to a disability that restricts their access to these activities. Woodforest Charitable Foundation’s recent donation of $7,000 to Camp Big Sky will fund the construction and furnishing of a wheelchair accessible cabin.

Established in 2000, the mission of Camp Big Sky is to provide accessible fishing, boating, camping and other outdoor activities to children and adults with disabilities.  Camp Big Sky provides a camp that those with a disability can fully enjoy.  For many, Camp Big Sky is the first opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.  For others, it represents a return to something they previously enjoyed prior to a disability, illness, injury or accident.

The Woodforest Cabin in the Woods, presently under construction, will allow Camp Big Sky to accommodate up to 16 guests for overnight stays, doubling their current capacity.  “On behalf of the children and adults with disabilities that we serve and our dedicated volunteers, let me say thank you for the generous contribution of $7,000 to Camp Big Sky for the construction of The Woodforest Cabin in the Woods,” said Brad Guidi, Executive Director of Camp Big Sky.  “Woodforest Charitable Foundation’s contribution will allow our organization to host more campers for overnight adventures in a safe, comfortable and accessible manner.”

With access to over one hundred acres of land, campers are able to experience outdoor recreational activities without the hindrance of their disability.  Facilities at the camp include a wheelchair-accessible floating dock, an interpretive nature trail, two picnic pavilions and a bocce ball court.  To date, the Camp has hosted campers from the ages of four to 102 years old, free of cost.  Camp Big Sky is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from May 1 to October 31, although other dates may be accommodated with previous notice and planning upon request.  For more information about Camp Big Sky, please visit www.campbigsky.org or call (309) 258-6002.

The Woodforest Charitable Foundation was created by Woodforest National Bank in 2005 as a direct result of its desire to support and invest in the communities in which it serves.  The Foundation is creating a legacy of commitment to those in need, enriching lives and communities through dedicated leadership and faithful administration by providing funding to qualifying 501(c)(3) charities. For additional information regarding The Woodforest Charitable Foundation, call (832) 375-CARE (2273) or visit the foundation’s website at www.woodforestcharitablefoundation.org.

Celebrating 30 years of service and ranked among the top earning banks in the United States, the Woodforest family of banks currently has assets of approximately $3.2 billion and services more than 770,000 customers with branches in excess of 700 throughout seventeen states:  Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.  For information about Woodforest National Bank, please call 832-375-2000 or visit the bank’s website at www.woodforest.com.