Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF) will celebrate #GivingTuesday this year with a month-long dedicated campaign to raise money for needed rehabilitation at Merriwood, an expanded feature of Camp Morty in North Salem serving underserved teens offering a safe space to build empowerment, agency and community. WPF is looking to raise $50,000 to restore cabins for campers at Camp Morty’s home at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes for the 2024 Summer Season. The campaign will run through #GivingTuesday on Nov. 28.
Erin Cordiner, director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement, Westchester Parks Foundation, said, “Restoring the cabins is essential for Merriwood at Camp Morty to reach its full potential for our underserved youth. A dedicated area of the camp for our teenagers will enhance the existing leadership, professional and interpersonal development programs offered, all in a safe environment. We believe leaders grow in parks, and you have the ability to make that happen!”
Camp Morty has offered a life-changing experience to hundreds of children in foster care, who are homeless or in child protective services for nearly 15 years. In 2023, the WPF opened Merriwood, an extension of Camp Morty for teens, at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem.
In addition to raising funds, the WPF is also asking for donations of hygiene, clothing and program essentials that will be used to create special care packages for 2024 Merriwood Campers at their offices at 104 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco, New York 10549. Volunteers will assemble essentials boxes of items on Giving Tuesday, Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m.-1p.m. at Saxon Woods Park South Entrance, 500 Mamaroneck Ave., Harrison.
#GivingTuesday is a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
