SEATTLE, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moyer Foundation (http://www.moyerfoundation.org/) today announced plans to expand its Camp Erin -- bereavement camps for children -- nationally to 10 new cities this year with a five-year goal of having a Camp Erin available to children in every major league baseball city and additional cities across the country. This nationwide expansion is made possible through The Moyer Foundation's Campaign for Kids, a $10 million fundraising campaign launched in March 2007.
Founded in 2000 by Major League All-Star pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen, The Moyer Foundation provides comfort and support to children during times of profound physical, emotional or financial distress. With community support, The Moyer Foundation has raised over $14 million to assist over 140 different organizations that serve the needs of children in distress. In addition to supporting organizations through grants, The Moyer Foundation created and funds Camp Erin, the largest national network of bereavement camps for children ages 6-17 who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend.
"Children inspire us every day to do what we do at The Moyer Foundation," said co-founder Jamie Moyer, father of seven and starting pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies. "Strong community involvement allows us to expand Camp Erin. Working together, we have a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children around the country."
Camp Erin is free to all children and is a weekend-long experience filled with traditional camp activities. Bereavement experts and trained volunteers facilitate and provide education and emotional support to each child throughout the weekend. The Moyer Foundation teams up with national advocates such as professional athletes and teams, corporate partners, and local hospice and grief counseling organizations in the communities where the camps exist. Currently, with 18 camps located in 12 states, Camp Erin has served more than 2,000 children.
Research by Ewalt & Perkins suggests that approximately 90 percent of students will experience the loss of a family member or close friend before finishing high school. Additionally, one in five children will experience the death of a family member and six out of every ten school age children experience a major loss. Research also indicates these children are at a much greater risk for depression, suicide, poverty and substance abuse.
"Sorrow needs expression," said Donna L. Schuurman, EdD, FT, renowned author and Executive Director of The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families. "Camp Erin provides a safe environment for children to express themselves in various ways, to be listened to and to be understood following the loss of a family member or a friend. Through the support of each other, the professional staff and volunteers, campers come together and leave after the weekend knowing they are not alone."
The Moyer Foundation will celebrate the new camps and partners on March 17 during a spring training event at Bright House Network Field in Clearwater, Florida. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $250.00 per person. Proceeds benefit Camp Erin.
2008 Camp Erin Expansion Cities
Tampa Bay, FL
-- April 25-28; Partner: Hospice of the Florida Suncoast,
http://www.thehospice.org/
San Francisco, CA
-- May 16-18; Partner: KARA, http://www.kara-grief.org/
Chicago, IL (2 Sessions)
-- June 13-15; Partner: Willow House, http://www.willowhouse.org/
Boston, MA
-- June 27-29; Partner: VNA of Southeastern Massachusetts, Inc.,
http://www.vnasm.org/
Kona, HI
-- July 18-20; Partner: Hospice of Kona, Inc.,
(808) 324-7700
Cincinnati, OH (2 Sessions)
-- July 24-27; Partner: Fernside, http://www.fernside.org/
New York, NY
-- August 1-3; Partner: FDNY-Counseling Service Unit,
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/units/csu
Oakland, CA
-- August 8-10; Partner: Hospice by the Bay,
http://www.hospicebythebay.org/
San Diego, CA
-- September 5-6; Partner: San Diego Hospice, http://www.sdhospice.org/
Albany, NY
-- Coming; Partner: The Community House, http://www.thecommunityhouse.org/
Camp Erin is supported by more than 40 national advocates including:
Tampa Bay Rays: Manager Joe Madden; Dan Wheeler and wife Stephanie
Cincinnati Reds: Scott Hatteberg and wife Bitsy
San Francisco Giants: Aaron Rowand and wife Marianne; Randy Winn and wife
Blessings
Boston Red Sox: Curt Schilling and wife Shonda; Jason Veritek and wife
Karen; Doug Mirabelli and wife Kristin; Mike Timlin and wife Dawn
Oakland A's: Eric Chavez and wife Alex
Chicago Cubs: Kerry Wood and wife Sarah
Chicago White Sox: Toby Hall and wife Karra; Darin Erstad and wife Jessica
San Diego Padres: Trevor Hoffman and wife Tracy
New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez and wife Cynthia
About The Moyer Foundation
The Moyer Foundation was founded in 2000 by Major League All-Star pitcher, Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen. The Foundation's mission is to provide comfort and support to children enduring a time of profound physical, emotional or financial distress. With community support, The Moyer Foundation has raised more than $14 million to assist over 140 different organizations that serve the needs of children in severe distress. In addition to supporting organizations through grants, The Moyer Foundation created and funds Camp Erin, the largest national network of bereavement camps for children and teens; Camp Mariposa, for children effected by addiction in their families; The Gregory Fund (in partnership with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) for early cancer-detection research; and The Moyer Foundation Endowment for Excellence in Pediatric Palliative Care for Seattle's Children's Hospital. Visit http://www.moyerfoundation.org/ for more information.
The Moyer Foundation
