"DREAM NIGHT" Gala Helps Children's Dreams Come True

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 30, 2012 (Press-News.org) The 6th annual "Dream Night" gala was held April 27 at Hyatt at the Bellevue. Hosted by corporate sponsor Fox & Roach Charities and Prudential Fox & Roach/Trident, the event raised money for ESF Dream Camp Foundation. The non-profit organization provides after-school and summer programming to underserved children in Philadelphia.

$120,000 was raised at this year's event, with 100% of funds benefiting Dream Camp.

"It was an amazing night and we are extremely fortunate to have such an tremendous turnout," says co-founder Michael Rouse.

The Dream Night special guest host was CBS 3 and The CW Philly Eyewitness News Anchor Susan Barnett.

During the event, Fox & Roach Charities honored Marjorie Pendergast, a sales associate of Prudential Fox & Roach/Trident, for her continued dedication and commitment to Dream Camp.

About ESF Dream Camp Foundation

The seed for Dream Camp was planted in 1982. That's when brothers Michael Rouse (age 15) and Bill Rouse (age 11) started a day camp on the campus of their high school. In exchange for use of the space, the teens were required to offer scholarships to underserved children. The brothers experienced firsthand how something as simple as a summer camp could make a difference in a child's life. It was a lesson that stuck with them for years to come.

After years of providing full scholarships for children at their summer camps, the Rouse brothers created ESF Dream Camp Foundation in 1998 to put structure behind their philanthropic efforts. Dream Camp Philadelphia was started in 2002 on the campus of Girard College. Over the past ten years, Dream Camp has provided more than 2,500 full scholarships to underserved children in Philadelphia to attend the program.

Dream Camp is more than a summer camp. It's a year-round program that offers academic enrichment, physical activity and personal development opportunities for underserved students from Philadelphia. Dream Camp is also a lifelong support system - students can always return for encouragement, help and guidance.

Day after day, month after month and year after year, we witness the difference that Dream Camp makes. Dream Camp students show improved math and reading skills and overall stronger academic performance. They have fewer behavioral infractions as a result of their participation in Dream Camp. They make better choices by tapping into the critical thinking and decision-making skills they learn at Dream Camp. At Dream Camp, we prepare our students to think about their futures, to demonstrate leadership skills and to develop plans to achieve their goals.

For more on ESF Dream Camp Foundation's mission, the programs offered, and how to help make a child's dream come true, visit www.esfdreamcamp.org.