Beacon Health Foundation partners with Camp Eberhart Alumni Association to expand camp opportunities for local families
Beacon Health Foundation and Camp Eberhart Alumni Association have announced a new partnership that will provide more children with access to the life-changing experience of YMCA Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, Michigan, while also supporting campers’ health and safety.
The Foundation is the fundraising support for Beacon Health System, a nonprofit, locally owned and governed 11-hospital health system based in South Bend, Indiana, employing more than 11,000 associates in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
Camp Eberhart Alumni Association launched the partnership with a $50,000 gift to establish the Camp Eberhart Alumni Association Scholarship Program through Beacon Health Foundation. The gift will help remove financial barriers that may prevent children of Beacon Health System associates from attending camp and gaining the personal growth and lifelong memories that experience offers.
Beacon Health Foundation and the Alumni Association envision this as the beginning of an ongoing partnership and annual scholarship opportunity for years to come.
In addition to scholarship support, the partnership includes funding for first aid and medical supplies to help keep campers safe and healthy. This support reflects a shared commitment to the well-being of every child who attends camp.
“For generations, YMCA Camp Eberhart has been a place where young people build confidence, gain independence, develop leadership skills and form friendships that last a lifetime,” said Susan King, president of Beacon Health Foundation. “At Beacon, our mission is to deliver outstanding care, inspire health and connect with heart. This partnership brings that mission to life by investing in children and supporting the families of the associates who care for our patients every day. We are deeply grateful to Camp Eberhart Alumni Association for its generosity and commitment to helping children thrive.”
The partnership is especially meaningful to members of the Alumni Association, many of whom credit their camp experiences with shaping the values and skills they carried into adulthood.
“Camp Eberhart changed lives long before many of us became parents, professionals or community leaders,” said Chris Sallows, president of Camp Eberhart Alumni Association. “The lessons learned at camp — confidence, character, friendship, leadership and service to others — stay with you for a lifetime. We believe every child deserves the chance to discover their strengths, build lifelong memories and experience the transformative power of camp. As alumni, we know the impact camp can have on a young person’s future, and we’re proud to help open that door for the next generation.”
About Beacon Health Foundation
Beacon Health Foundation inspires generosity to advance the mission of Beacon Health System by supporting patients, families, associates, programs, and communities throughout northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
About Camp Eberhart Alumni Association
Camp Eberhart Alumni Association was established in 1981 to support and preserve the traditions, values and future of Camp Eberhart. The organization is comprised of past campers, staff and friends of Camp Eberhart, with membership open to all and represented throughout the U.S. and abroad. Camp Eberhart Alumni Association’s mission includes raising and providing financial support for scholarships that allow children to attend camp and access other outdoor recreation experiences. Through an annual membership drive, the organization has contributed more than $3 million to Camp Eberhart to date. Camp Eberhart Alumni Association is a separate entity from Camp Eberhart and its parent organization, YMCA of Greater Michiana.
