FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 8, 2026
CONTACT: J.J. Lewis, CEO | (517) 618-1874
Pinckney, MI – Surrounded by campers, families, volunteers, donors, healthcare partners, community leaders, and friends, North Star Reach officially celebrated its 10th Anniversary on Wednesday, July 1 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing a decade of life-changing camp experiences for children with serious health challenges and their families.
Hosted in partnership with the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce during their second Residential Summer Camp session, the celebration brought together members of North Star Reach’s Board of Directors, founding supporters, and community partners to commemorate ten years since the gates first opened at the medically supported, barrier-free camp on July 1, 2016.
In one of the day’s most memorable moments, a camper representing each cabin joined the celebration by helping hold the ceremonial ribbon as North Star Reach Board Chair Sheri Mark and Gwen Haggerty-Bearden, President of The Ted & Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation, officially cut the ribbon. Following the ceremony, guests shared lunch alongside campers inside the Dining Hall.
“Ten years ago, our community believed every child deserved the opportunity to simply be a kid, regardless of a serious health challenge,” said J.J. Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of North Star Reach. “Watching campers hold the ribbon during this celebration was a beautiful reminder that this anniversary isn’t about looking back, it’s about the thousands of children whose lives have been changed and the thousands more who are still waiting to discover the joy, confidence, friendship, and belonging that camp makes possible. This milestone belongs to every camper, family, volunteer, donor, healthcare partner, staff member, and supporter who helped build our Campily.”
The celebration also included presentations recognizing North Star Reach’s first decade of service from the State of Michigan, U.S. Congressman Tom Barrett, and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, honoring the organization’s impact on thousands of children and families throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Since opening in 2016, North Star Reach has provided more than 8,000 camp experiences to children with serious health challenges and their families, all free of charge, through medically supported summer camps, Family Camp Weekends, and virtual programming. The organization is currently expanding its impact through the relaunch of its OutReach Program, bringing the joy of camp directly into children’s hospitals and communities across Michigan.
“North Star Reach has always been about creating possibility,” said Mark. “For ten years, we’ve watched children discover independence, build lifelong friendships, and experience the freedom to simply enjoy childhood while families find hope and community. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this dream a reality, and we’re excited because we believe the next decade will allow us to serve even more children and families than ever before.”
Founded as part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network established by Paul Newman, North Star Reach remains one of only a handful of medically supported residential camps in the country designed specifically for children living with serious health challenges. Every program is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors, volunteers, foundations, healthcare partners, and community supporters.
As North Star Reach begins its second decade, the organization is focused on expanding opportunities for children and families through additional camp experiences, Family Camp Weekends, hospital-based OutReach programming, volunteer engagement, and community events, including this summer’s annual MOOSE-ic Festival, presented by Kalitta Air, on Saturday, August 22.
Those interested in celebrating North Star Reach’s 10 Years of Mooseness, volunteering, supporting campers through a donation, applying for upcoming Family Camp Weekends, attending MOOSE-ic Festival, or learning more about the organization’s impact, are encouraged to visit www.northstarreach.org/year-of-mooseness.
