Golden Corral accepts donations to send children of veterans to summer camp

By Loretta H. Flannery Last updated Apr 23, 2022

BECKLEY, West Virginia (WVVA) – Camp Corral is back!

Summer camp for children of injured, fallen or ill veterans took a break during the pandemic, but now Golden Corrals across the country are accepting donations to help campers.

With 19 locations nationwide, campers have plenty of options for spending a week of their summer. But, you don’t have to go far to support them.

Golden Corral in Beckley will be accepting donations until June 1, 2022. Donations can be made inside the restaurant or online and be used towards camp expenses. In 2019, the channel sent 2,700 children to the camp thanks to these donations. This year, the goal has been set at 3,000.

Bo Williams, hospitality manager for Beckley’s venues, says they are on track to help achieve this goal. He says it’s thanks to the support of the community, as well as big fans like former professional basketball player Antawn Jamison and American actor Gary Sinise. Organizations like the American Red Cross and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) have also stepped in to help.

“Our guests here at Golden Corral are wonderful,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them we would be able to do it, but we have that national support which really helps too.”

Williams went on to say that Camp Corral was unlike any other.

“These children of veterans or disabled or injured, you know, they also suffer, and sometimes they don’t necessarily know how to deal with certain realities of life. This camp allows them to learn how to deal with this stuff, build lasting relationships, and probably, most importantly, have fun for a week.

Children of veterans who want to learn more about Camp Corral or go through the approval process can visit campcorral.org. This is also where donations can be made.

“Golden Corral in general is a big supporter of the military,” Williams said. “We always have been and we just hope to continue.”