More kids will enjoy camping in the mountains this summer as Press-Telegram and Grunion Gazette readers matched a $30,000 donation made by philanthropists Frank and Margie Newell.<\/p>\n
That means $60,000 will be added to this year\u2019s campaign fund to send kids to mountain camps operated by the Big Five youth organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, YMCA of Greater Long Beach, Camp Fire Long Beach, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, now known as Scouting America.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled that readers have so quickly matched our donation,\u201d said Frank Newell, a retired attorney and former chair of the Long Beach Community Foundation. \u201cWe hope that others will continue to donate to this wonderful program so as many local kids as possible can enjoy a meaningful and enriching camp experience in this time of uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Newells donated $30,000 on the condition that readers matched that amount.<\/p>\n
The Send-a-Kid-to-Camp campaign fund, started by the Press-Telegram in partnership with the Community Foundation, will continue until June 21.<\/p>\n
\u201cSincere thanks to our readers for coming through for the kids one more time,\u201d said Tom Bray, senior editor for the Southern California News Group Los Angeles County publications. \u201cThis community proves just how generous it can be every year. On behalf of the kids, a mammoth thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tara Sievers, donor and community relations manager for the Community Foundation, said, \u201cThanks so much to the multiple readers who joined together to meet this matching grant. Their generosity, combined with the Newells\u2019 support, has added $60,000 to this year\u2019s campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Newells are longtime supporters of the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp program. Frank Newell said he and his wife had great camp experiences in their youth.<\/p>\n
When he was a youngster, Frank Newell went to Camp High Hill in the San Bernardino Mountains. Margie Newell went to Camp Nor\u2019wester on Lopez Island in the state of Washington. She remembered her summer after fifth grade when she attended camp away from home for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe memories of outdoor adventures,\u201d she said, \u201cmaking 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frank Newell said he remembers his own camp experience as a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to give as many of our Long Beach youth as possible an opportunity to have a similar experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
We invite our readers to donate to the camp fund until the June 21 deadline. The more donations that come in now means even more needy youngsters will enjoy camp in nearby mountains this summer.<\/p>\n
Remember, like almost everything else, costs keep increasing. The average cost of sending one child to one week at a camp is $600.<\/p>\n
We invite you to make whatever donation you can to make a kid\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
HOW TO DONATE<\/p>\n