$25,000

The Friends of Camp Hollis

Received funds for its Playground Improvement Plan.

The Friends of Camp Hollis (FOCH) is a nonprofit support system for the Oswego County owned and operated children’s camp. FOCH’s main goal is to offer full and partial scholarships for families who cannot afford the camp fees and each year it provides approximately $11,000, serving over 500 children. While raising scholarship money is FOCH’s main goal, it also helps the camp program in other ways. Recently, the camp’s administrative staff determined that its playground was outdated and in need of repair. FOCH agreed to take on the challenge of raising $62,000 for new playground equipment, establishing a five-year plan to add three outdoor recreational structures to the facility: Phase one will construct a climbing wall/tower, phase two will install a multipurpose inclusive play area, phase three updates the camp’s popular swing set with a modern version that serves all ages and abilities.

FOCH began fundraising in January of 2021, hoping to raise sufficient funds to complete phase one by the end of the year. To do so, it pledged up to $15,000 of its funds toward the project. Pledging that money, however, would diminish FOCH’s ability to fully support camper scholarships and the hope was to achieve its playground fundraising goals in five years.

Shineman’s grant of $25,000 made a tremendous contribution to FOCH’s efforts. Not only did it bring our fundraising goal within reach, it also gave board members a boost of confidence and acknowledgement of their important work. Because of Shineman’s generosity, FOCH’s vision of having a new playground in five years will be achieved in one year! Phase one of the project, the climbing wall/tower, has been completed, and equipment and supplies for phases two and three will be shipped soon, with work to install them beginning shortly thereafter. Camp Hollis staff and FOCH board members are excited to share these new and exciting activities with children! Thank you, Shineman Foundation!