Country music superstar Cole Swindell performed a private acoustic concert for select number of donors and invited guests
JULY 16, 2017 (VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.) – The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation, a nonprofit organization and organizer of the annual JT Walk and Beach Party, and Diamond Resorts International®, a global leader in the vacation ownership and hospitality industries, were proud to host the JT Walk and Beach Party kick-off event at Camp Grom on Sunday, July 16, 2017, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The event kick-started fundraising for the remaining $1 million needed to complete the construction of the camp, which is intended to serve a wide range of children with disabilities, wounded veterans and their families. The kickoff event featured an acoustic performance from Platinum-selling recording artist and Diamond Resorts Celebrity Ambassador Cole Swindell. Invited guests had the opportunity to meet the record-breaking, six-time No. 1 country music star during a VIP “meet and greet.” The event also included remarks from local community leaders and project principals.
“A little over two years ago, we shared our vision with the community for Camp Grom — a 20-acre adventure camp and park that offers unique recreation and relaxation opportunities to children with disabilities, wounded veterans, and families who have lost a loved one in combat,” said Andrew Yancey, chairman of Virginia Gentlemen. “We have truly been humbled by the tremendous support we have received from community leaders throughout Virginia, and long-time supporters like Diamond Resorts that have made Camp Grom a reality.”
“Camp Grom is a prime example of how much can be accomplished in a short period of time when a community and its leaders join together,” said Michael Flaskey, Chief Executive Officer for Diamond Resorts®. “We are proud to be a Camp Grom supporter and to provide more than 200 Diamond Resorts International members, owners and guests with an up-close look at Camp Grom’s newly-constructed grounds.”
The 10th annual JT Walk and Beach Party is scheduled for October 8, 2017, and has been recognized as the largest single-day walk and fundraiser for the National ALS Association.
About The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 2007 and consists of a group of young men who have grown up together in Virginia Beach and want to make a difference in their community. The Foundation’s marquee event, the JT Walk and Beach Party, has been a main benefactor, helping raise a large portion of the $15 million needed to build the 70-acre camp. The walk is organized each year as a way to increase support and awareness of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, after one of the founder’s brothers, Josh Thompson was diagnosed with the disease in 2006. Camp Grom will be a 70-acre, beach-style Adventure Park designed with people of all abilities in mind and will include features like a welcome center, gymnatorium, 3.5-acre lake for fishing and cable wakeboarding, ropes course and aquatic center all built for everybody to use. The camp was inspired in part by the success of Grommet Island Beach Park & Playground for EveryBODY, another community project from The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation. For more information about Camp Grom or to donate, visit https://www.vagentlemen.com/camp-grom/.
About Diamond Resorts International®
Diamond Resorts International (Diamond Resorts) is a worldwide leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries with a network of more than 370 vacation destinations located in 35 countries throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.
Diamond Resorts offers its members the opportunity to create priceless memories through innovative vacation choices including once-in-a-lifetime excursions to world-renowned landmarks, unforgettable guided tours to dream destinations, and access to exclusive VIP concert experiences, high-energy sporting events and exciting shows. With high-quality resorts in desirable destinations, Diamond Resorts provides the kind of vacation experiences that help its members, owners and guests reconnect with loved ones, collect a lifetime of meaningful memories and keep that Stay Vacationed® feeling all year long.
Diamond Resorts International manages vacation ownership resorts and sells vacation ownership points that provide members and owners with Vacations for Life® at over 370 managed and affiliated properties and cruise itineraries.