Camp Sunshine’s 40th anniversary Maine Suitcase Party on Sept. 20 at Throttle car club in Scarborough embraced a road-trip theme, with nine guests’ names drawn to win a Maine getaway at locations like Sebago Lake, Kennebunkport, Sugarloaf, Bar Harbor and Boothbay.

Surrounded by high-end cars stored by Throttle members, 425 guests enjoyed food from Migis Lodge, danced with county band 12/OC, and bid on live and silent auction items.

“For 40 years, we’ve been bringing joy, hope and community to families who have a child with a life-threatening illness,” said Chief Executive Officer Joanne Bean. “It’s because of support like tonight that makes all that happen. Since 1984, we have served over 60,000 families – children, siblings, parents and caregivers – from every state and 27 countries.”

Ira and Kristin Michaud of Damariscotta spoke about their family’s experience at Camp Sunshine on Sebago Lake after their middle child, Ian, was diagnosed with a bone cancer called osteosarcoma just over two years ago. After chemo, he needed to have a leg amputated and be fitted for a prosthetic.

“Osteosarcoma is rare, and you don’t meet many people who understand what our family has gone through,” said Kristin Michaud. “But when we attended a general oncology week at Camp Sunshine, we met Robert. He had the exact same cancer as Ian and also had an amputation, and they’re very similar in age, too.”

Over two camp sessions and lots of phone calls, the boys – and their families – have become close. Like family.

“At Camp Sunshine, children who don’t have peers who can relate are suddenly surrounded by a cloud of others who get it,” said Ira Michaud. “Robert and Ian have been amazing friends. They talk on the phone. They text each other. They have a thread with other kids who were there and have different types of cancer. And we got to go back to Camp Sunshine and see those families this past summer.”

The 2024 Maine Suitcase Party raised $200,000 – enough to send 40 families like the Michauds to camp at no charge.

Camp Sunshine founder Anna M. Gould was the presenting sponsor of the event in honor of the 40th anniversary and the life of Allyn Caruso. A lifelong pilot, Caruso hosted the Maine Suitcase Party nine times at MAC Air Group in South Portland, jetting the drawing winners to New York City right from the party. Before Caruso died in March, he and his wife Alysan were planning to host the anniversary event.

The next big Camp Sunshine fundraiser is the Pumpkin Festival at L.L. Bean’s Flagship Campus on Oct. 19 from noon to 8 p.m. For more information, go to campsunshinepumpkinfestivals.org.

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at amyparadysz@gmail.com.