Regional Healthcare Foundation Donates $20,000 to Falcon Center Summer Day Camp

The Regional Healthcare Foundation, formerly the Fairmont General Hospital Foundation, presented a $20,000 donation to the FSU Falcon Center Summer Day Camp on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016.

At the Annual Board Meeting, members of The Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors presented the donation to FSU President Dr. Maria Rose, Falcon Center Director Robin Yeager and Falcon Center Assistant Director Kevin Philyaw, who guides the operation of the camp.

“This gift is symbolic of the Foundation’s new direction focusing on community needs and wellness,” said Foundation Chairman, Nick Fantasia. “Hopefully helping children when they are young, by instilling the values of health and wellness within them, it will allow them avoid health issues when they are older adults. Our support for FSU Falcon Center Summer Day Camp meets our long-term goal of assisting with community health and wellness needs.”

After conducting a community needs assessment in 2014, which identified obesity as a significant problem affecting the Marion county community, the Foundation made a $10,000 gift to Falcon Center Summer Day Camp in May 2015. The goal of the Falcon Center Summer Day Camp is to provide children with a fun and safe environment, offering educational and recreational activities that help combat childhood obesity. The 2015 partnership was so successful that the Foundation invited the Bowers Charitable Trust to participate in the partnership. 

In August 2015, the Regional Healthcare Foundation was given a $10,000 gift from the Bowers Charitable Trust restricted toward the FSU Falcon Center Day Camp. The Foundation used additional funds raised from special events, gifts of tribute, and other donations to double their gift for 2016.

The Falcon Center works with the Marion County Board of Education to identify and notify children who qualify for the scholarships. In the Summer of 2015, the Foundation funded 64 scholarships which allowed the camp to grown and maintain the resources to provide a personalized, unique experience for each camper.

“Several members of the Foundation Board have children who have participated in the Summer Day Camp in the past and had great experiences,” said Whitney Hatcher, Executive Director of The Regional Healthcare Foundation. “The Board has found a unique way to expand the opportunity to participate in the camp to children from families who could not afford to send them. The Foundation donation will fund full one-week scholarships for children based on the regular day price of $150 per week.”

“With the help from supporters such as the Regional Healthcare Foundation, our team can continue to build upon our goal. We thank the Foundation for joining us in taking a stance against childhood obesity and for making the Day Camp a reality for so many area children,” Philyaw said.

The Regional Healthcare Foundation, formerly the Fairmont General Hospital Foundation, is a local non-profit committed to providing quality healthcare programs and services in the Marion County community. The mission of The Regional Healthcare Foundation is partnering with the community to make a difference. For more information about the Foundation, call (304) 367-7168 or visit http://www.frmcwv.com/about_foundation.php.

The Falcon Center Summer Day Camp for children ages 6 through 12 provides games, sports, water activities and educational activities from June 6 to July 29. The camp runs Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Kevin Philyaw at (304) 368-7223 or visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/falconcenter/falcon-center-summer-day-camp.

Falcon CenterRegional Healthcare FoundationKevin PhilyawRobin YeagerNick FantasiaWhitney HatcherMaria Rose