Long Beach philanthropists Frank and Margie Newell have agreed to contribute $30,000 to the Press-Telegram’s Send-a-Kid-to-Camp fund so more kids can enjoy a week camping in the mountains this summer.

That is a very generous donation — but there is a condition attached to the contribution.

The donors — Frank Newell, a retired attorney and former chair of the Long Beach Community Foundation, and his wife, Margie — said their donation is contingent on Press-Telegram readers contributing $30,000 to match their own donation.

That means reader donations totaling $30,000 from now until the last day of this year’s campaign in June will be matched by the Newells – for a total of $60,000 added to the fund.

“That is a whale of a donation, and I am confident that our readers are up to the challenge,” said Tom Bray, senior editor for the Press-Telegram and its sister publication, the Grunion Gazette, which partners each year with the Community Foundation to send kids to camps.

The camps are operated in nearby mountains by the “Big Five” youth organizations: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, Camp Fire Long Beach, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts, now known as Scouting America.

“Every cause needs a champion,” said Marcelle Epley, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Frank and Margie Newell have been those champions for positive change from day one when the Long Beach Community Foundation was formed nearly 30 years ago. Their targeted commitment to youth and education compounds every year – improving lives now and for generations to come. Their generous offer to match donations is the perfect opportunity for all to join them in making Long Beach even better.”

The Newells are longtime supporters of the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp program.

“It is our hope by providing $30,000 in matching funds that we can provide an incentive for others to donate to this wonderful program,” said Frank Newell. “If other donors equal our match, it will result in one hundred or more additional kids who can have a meaningful, if not life-changing, camp experience.”

Both he and his wife, Frank Newell said, had great camp experiences in their youth.

“And we remember those experiences to this day,” he said. “We want to give as many of our Long Beach youth as possible an opportunity to have a similar experience.”

When he was a youngster, Frank Newell went to Camp High Hill in the San Bernardino Mountains. Margie Newell went to Camp Nor’wester on Lopez Island in the state of Washington.

Frank Newell said his years serving on the Community Foundation’s board gave him a greater understanding of the value of the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp program and the benefits it provides to so many kids.

“We want to encourage support to continue this fine program and growing it,” he said.

Margie Newell remembered her summer after fifth grade when she attended camp away from home for the first time.

“The memories of outdoor adventures,” she said, “making new friends, cabin living, teamwork, problem solving, songs after dinner and arts and crafts so many years ago, have stayed with me to this day.”

Leaders of the Big Five youth organizations thanked the Newells for their donation.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Newells for their generosity and continued support of the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp program,” said Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach. “The fact that they experienced the impact of camp themselves and now want to give that same opportunity to local kids says so much about who they are. Their matching gift is going to help create lifelong memories and experiences for so many young people this summer.”

Jamie Montenegro, executive director of Camp Fire Long Beach, said Frank and Margie Newell are at the heart of what the annual campaign represents.

“Their generosity is rooted in their own childhood experiences and a genuine belief that every child deserves the opportunity to explore, grow and find their spark in the outdoors,” Montenegro said. “Because of their support, children in our Long Beach community who may have never imagined themselves at camp are able to build confidence, create lasting friendships and experience the joy, belonging and personal growth that Camp Fire Long Beach strives to create for every young person. Their impact will be felt far beyond a single summer.”

Alfredo Velasco, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, called the donation by the Newells extraordinarily generous, “reflecting the lasting impact of the YMCA Send-a-Kid-to-Camp program.”

“They know firsthand that giving to others is what it’s all about, above everything else,” he said. “Their gift will create transformational camp experiences, a strong sense of belonging, and inspire others to give.”

Marc Bonner, Scout executive of the Long Beach Area Council of Scouting America, said much the same.

“We are indebted to the generosity of Frank and Margie Newell for their quiet yet steadfast support of sending kids to camp year in and year out,” Bonner said. “The campaign would not be as successful were it not for the Newells’ significant contributions to send Long Beach kids to summer camp.”

And Theresa Edy Kiene, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Council, expressed her appreciation as well.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Newells,” she said. “Their generosity allows children to explore the magic of summer camp each year.  We thank them for helping girls to build confidence and create lifelong memories at Girl Scout camp!”

We invite our readers to donate to the camp fund and help match the generous donation of the Newells. Remember, like almost everything else, costs keep increasing.  The average cost of sending one child to one week at a camp is $600.

We invite you to make whatever donation you can to make a kid’s dream come true like it did for the Newells. We thank you in advance for making a difference in the lives of so many deserving youngsters.

HOW TO DONATE

Online: Donations with a credit card via the Long Beach Community Foundation’s website are preferred.  Go to longbeachcf.org. The Long Beach Community Foundation Tax ID number is EIN-20-5054010.

Mail: Send a check with “Send-a-Kid-to-Camp” in the memo, payable to Long Beach Community Foundation, 1 World Trade Center, 8th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90831.

DONATIONS

Weekly Total: $14,482.00.

Campaign Total: $42,101.95.

Donors (through Wednesday, May 13):

Paul Bailey.
Anonymous.
Berro Family Foundation.
Theresa Bixby in honor of Mark Bixby.
Amy Block in memory of Beverly and Stuart Boyle.
Richard Carlson.
Chris Conway.
Ed and Molly Ficarra.
Victor Frake.
Don Hachiya.
Michael Hamlin.
Debbie Harris.
Donna and William Holtz.
Mandy Johnson.
Dolly and Richard Ickler.
Sue Kagy.
Andreas and Clarinda Kotowski.
Gayle Knapp.
Colleen Maxfield.
Susanne Milkes.
Kim Audrey Parker in memory of Claire Parker.
Dorene Reed.
Deborah Reed.
Carolyn Rhoades.
Elizabeth Robin.
Anonymous.
Donald Sillings.
The Taucher Family in memory of Mary Chilcot.
Sandra Wallace.
Robert Welborn.
Anonymous.