The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc. has awarded $9,700 – entirely funded by donor support – to fund this year’s Camp Can Do, a therapeutic summer camp for children with special needs. This annual investment ensures that children who would not otherwise be able to attend a traditional summer camp can experience the fun, friendships, and freedom of summer in a safe and adaptive environment.

“Each summer, Camp Can Do provides a safe and adaptive environment for past and current clients of Ephraim McDowell Kids Can Do Pediatric Therapy Center,” said Vanessa Welty, occupational therapist at the center. “Camp activities are modified to ensure each camper’s success, along with one-on-one volunteers to facilitate activities and support camper safety. Our success would not be possible without the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation’s financial support.”

Camp Can Do was established in 2003 and has touched the lives of more than 500 children with special needs from Danville and the surrounding communities. Hundreds of volunteers, many from across Ephraim McDowell’s service area and beyond, help make the camp possible each year. The camp is hosted at Camp Horsin’ Around in Perryville, providing a fun, inclusive, and accessible outdoor experience for children ages 5 to 18.

This year marks a special milestone for one former camper, Michael, who is celebrating his 15th summer at Camp Can Do. Once a young participant, Michael now returns as a volunteer, paying forward the life-changing experience he received as a child.

“When we talk about our mission of enhancing the healing environment, Camp Can Do is exactly what we mean. It’s joyful, transformative, and only possible because our community chooses to give,” said Laura Richard, Executive Director of the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation.

As Camp Can Do continues to grow and serve more children, the resources needed to support this life-changing experience grow as well. This year’s expanded programming fully utilized the generous funds available in the Kids Can Do fund. To ensure we can continue offering this incredible opportunity next summer, we invite our community to join us in supporting Camp Can Do. Your gift helps people like Michael – and so many others – experience the joy and empowerment of a camp created just for them.

About the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc.
The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc. has been dedicated to improving the health of communities served by Ephraim McDowell Health for more than a quarter-century. Through philanthropic support and community outreach, the Foundation helps provide advanced, comprehensive, and compassionate care to patients while addressing critical health challenges in the region.

For more information about the Foundation’s efforts, please visit https://emhealth.org/health-care-foundation/ or contact: Laura Richard at ldirchard@emhealth.org.