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MCC Daily Tribune

Greater Rochester Health Foundation Invests $1.3 million in MCC's Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp

Representatives of the Greater Rochester Health Foundation came to MCC yesterday to announce a $1.3 million investment in MCC's Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp. Now in its sixth year, the camp has more than doubled in size to serve the health and wellness needs of nearly 800 Rochester children. The Health Foundation, the City of Rochester, and other MCC Foundation supporters helped MCC launch the camp in 2014.

The gift was announced by Connie Walker, Esq., Greater Rochester Health Foundation board vice chair, and Matthew A. Kuhlenbeck, Health Foundation president and CEO. They reinforced how campers "benefit on many levels--physically, academically, socially and emotionally ... [the camp] shows children how to lead healthy lives through exposure to a wide range of ideas and activities."

The camp aligns with the Health Foundation's Healthy Futures strategy to improve the health and well-being of local children. Children's Institute research shows participation in the camp reduces summer learning loss and positively impacts students' academic performance.

ESL Charitable Foundation and Glover-Crask Charitable Trust also provide philanthropic support of the camp in partnership with the MCC Foundation.

MCC Professor Elizabeth Fell Kelly, Ed.D. (Health and Physical Education) leads the camp staff that includes MCC alumni, local school teachers, volunteers and approximately 60 junior counselors, ages 13 to 18, who assist in instruction, mentoring and role modeling at the camp. The junior counselor experience is funded by the City of Rochester's Summer of Opportunity Program and RochesterWorks! Summer Youth Employment Program. The camp runs through Aug. 2.

The Health Foundation grant is the latest major donation in support of the MCC Foundation's Every Bright Future Needs a Strong Foundation campaign. Launched in 2018 by Honorary Chairs Robin '80 and Tim '80 Wentworth, the campaign seeks to raise $50 million to increase the number of scholarships available to MCC students and help grow the local economy through a well-educated and technically sophisticated workforce. Including the Health Foundation grant, the campaign has raised over $47.5 million to date.

To support the summer camp and the Every Bright Future campaign, give online or contact the MCC Foundation at x3680.

Gretchen Wood
MCC Foundation
07/26/2019