CASCO — Four active-duty Navy SEALs, including two who are originally from Maine, are preparing to swim the full 13-mile length of Sebago Lake on Thursday, Aug. 21, to raise funds to send military families in need to Camp Sunshine.

The goal of the SEALs for Sunshine event is to raise enough money to send 40 military families to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind national retreat in Casco for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

The four SEALs will jump into Sebago Lake at its southernmost point and swim approximately 13 miles, finishing on the shores of Point Sebago Resort in Casco, adjacent to Camp Sunshine.

The charity event is part of the “Go the Distance” campaign, a partnership between Camp Sunshine and the New Balance Foundation. The New Balance Foundation has agreed to match all funds raised for Camp Sunshine through endurance events up to $300,000, meaning donations that come in for the SEALs for Sunshine event will be doubled.

In addition, Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham also has agreed to match donations for this event up to $25,000, meaning the first $25,000 raised will be tripled and result in excess of $75,000 for Camp Sunshine.

Organizers have set a goal to raise $80,000, enough to bring 40 military families for a Camp Sunshine session in 2015.

“First and foremost, Camp Sunshine is honored to have the support of these four distinguished members of the Navy’s special operations force,” said Anna Gould, Camp Sunshine’s founder. “Not only is this an amazing opportunity for Camp Sunshine, but also for donors supporting the SEALs for Sunshine event. These guys set lofty goals, whether it’s swimming a half marathon or raising enough to sponsor a session. I know the community will rally behind them.”

Camp Sunshine has again utilized the services of the popular online fundraising platform CrowdRise to make it easier for the entire community to unite, support and fundraise for the SEALs for Sunshine event. To start raising funds, donate online and to share the event via social media, visit www.crowdrise.com/sealsforsunshine.

The SEALs for Sunshine event will culminate with a gala dinner on Friday, Aug. 22, where a senior level Navy official as well as the SEALs will address those in attendance. The gala dinner will be hosted at Camp Sunshine’s 27-acre campus along Sebago Lake. Tables and individual seats for the gala can be purchased by calling the development office at Camp Sunshine at 207-655-3800.

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