October 13, 2022
By Rachel Scofield

Newman’s Own, the radically good food and beverage company founded by actor, racecar driver, and philanthropist Paul Newman that gives away 100% of profits to help children, announced it is putting the faces and personal stories of children it supports through its grantee partners on its packaging for the first time, starting with children who have attended SeriousFun Children’s Network (SeriousFun) camps. SeriousFun, also founded by Paul Newman, is a community of free, adaptive summer camps for kids with serious illnesses. The change is part of a modern new packaging rollout for the brand, to help it stand out to new and existing customers on shelves.

Clayton from North Carolina, siblings Gabe and Angelica from Florida, and siblings Sarah and Akeem from New York will be among the first beneficiaries featured on select Newman’s Own products, beginning with fan favorite pizzas. Also selected was Pickerington North High School Junior, Sophie Martin, who is featured on the box for Thin & Crispy Four Cheese.

When Martin first learned about SeriousFun camps at age 10, she couldn’t wait to go. She has juvenile arthritis, and some days it can be so painful she can’t get out of bed, but SeriousFun camps are made for kids like her. “What’s really cool,” says Sophie, “is that I can do everything there without having to worry, ‘How in the world am I going to do this?’ They already have a plan in place for me.”

Martin’s arthritis presents a multitude of daily challenges, principle of which is fatigue.

“I often just don’t have the energy to do the things I have to do in the day,” she said. “We do a lot of things to reduce the energy I spend in the day so that can help. Another challenge I face is that stairs can be very difficult for me to climb. If you think about how many places don’t have good ramps or elevators it’s super hard! The world in general is not built for people with disabilities and/or chronic pain so navigating it is challenging.”

Martin said the advertising campaign has been “crazy”.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Newman’s Own before so they just reached out to me about a year ago and asked if I would be willing to be on a pizza box! I said yes and here we are. I am beyond lucky to get to help camp in any way.”

“Newman’s Own brings joy to kids with serious illness through its support of organizations like SeriousFun Children’s Network,” said Nicole Malcolm-Manyara, Chief Marketing Officer of Newman’s Own, Inc. “As we carry on Paul Newman’s radically good legacy, we are humbled to be able to tell the stories of these kids on our food and beverage products, so consumers can learn more about and connect with the impact they are making when they purchase Newman’s Own products, such as frozen pizza, pasta sauce, salad dressing, popcorn, refrigerated drinks, and cookies.”

Since Paul Newman opened the first SeriousFun camp in 1988, SeriousFun has delivered more than 1.5 million life-changing experiences to children living with more than 100 different medical conditions and their families, from 50 countries, totally free of charge. The camps are designed with adaptations and medical support for kids with different abilities so that nothing is off limits, and the campers can find connections with others with similar illnesses. The camps have proven to have a lasting impact, including the development of self-identity and self-confidence, appreciation of diversity, and the willingness to try new things.

“At camp it doesn’t matter if I’m feeling healthy or if I’m having a bad day, I don’t have to worry about whether or not I can do things,” Martin said. “Unlike school or the mall, it is built for me. At camp everything is accessible. From the zip line to the dining hall, every single activity is possible for me.

Camp also taught me how to advocate for myself. I learned how to ask the world to accommodate for me, and I learned that I could do anything if I just changed my strategy a little. At camp, it doesn’t matter that I can’t always use my fingers right, I can still learn how to play ukulele and dance. It’s seriously so magical and I am so unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to go to camp.

If you ever have the chance to volunteer at camp or donate, absolutely do! Camp is so wonderful for kids and families affected by serious illness and making camp possible is critically important. Without camp I, and other campers like me, wouldn’t be the people we are today. The life long confidence I have gained and the friendships I have created are incredible and I am so glad I had the chance to experience camp.”

To learn more about the children Newman’s Own supports through its various grantee partners or to find products in a store near you, follow the QR code on the brightly colored new packaging of Newman’s Own food and beverage products, visit NewmansOwn.com, or follow the brand on Instagram @NewmansOwn.

Newman’s Own, Inc., founded by Paul Newman in 1982, offers great tasting, high-quality food and beverage products for families and their pets. Products include salad dressings, pasta sauces, frozen pizza, salsa, refrigerated drinks, cookies, popcorn, and olive oil as well as dog food and dog treats. Newman’s Own, Inc., continues Paul Newman’s founding commitment to “give it all away,” with 100% of profits going to organizations that help children who face adversity, through Newman’s Own Foundation.