MLB Pitcher Expands Children’s Bereavement Camps Nationwide
The Moyer Foundation recently announced plans to continue its national expansion of bereavement camps for children and teens by adding eight new cities to host Camp Erin in 2010.
“Camp Erin is an initiative that means a great deal to [my wife] and me,” said co-founder Jamie Moyer, father of eight and pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. “Baseball gives us the platform to help make a difference in the lives of children in distress, and Camp Erin has proven to be an effective and meaningful way to do that.”
Camp Erin is a free weekend-long experience filled with traditional camp activities, combined with professional grief counseling and support. Bereavement experts and trained volunteers facilitate the camps and provide education, healing activities and emotional support to each child throughout the weekend.
Last year, Valley of Life showed its support for Camp Erin when founder Miri Rossitto offered her ebook, A Guide to Children and Grief, for use at the camps.
Additional Camp Erin supporters include corporate sponsors as well as many celebrities and professional athletes, including Nolan Ryan, Chef Mario Batali, and actor John McGinley from TV’s Scrubs.
In 2010, a Camp Erin will open in the following cities:
- Baltimore, MD
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
- Denver/Boulder, CO
- Kansas City, MO
- Lewis Clark Valley, WA/ID
- Milwaukee, WI
- Orange County, CA
- An additional Texas location
The Moyer Foundation was established in 2000 by Jamie and Karen Moyer. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $19 million to assist over 200 different programs that serve children in physical, emotional, or financial distress. In 2002, the Foundation created Camp Erin, now the largest bereavement camp in the country with 36 camps in 23 states. The program will serve nearly 2,500 children in 2010. Currently, the Foundation has a goal of establishing as many as 60 camps around the country, including one Camp Erin in every Major League Baseball city.
Tags: Camp Erin, ebook, Jamie Moyer, Miri Rossitto, MLB, The Moyer Foundation, Valley of Life