St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is pleased to announce that it has received a generous grant from the Finish Line Youth Foundation to support the eagerly-anticipated 2016 Summer Olympics program held annually at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, located in Bayside. The 2016 Summer Olympics will start in July and run through the last week of August. Over 80 children will participate in the various games and activities—including Basketball, Croquet, Ring Toss, Badminton, Soccer Bowling and Baton Relays. Games are scheduled three times per week, with two sessions each day to accommodate as many children as possible.
“We are proud to support organizations like St. Mary’s Kids that promote healthy and active lifestyles for kids. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be a summer to remember and we’re excited to be a part of that,” said Marty Posch, Finish Line Youth Foundation president.
For St. Mary’s Kids, who are battling serious medical complexities, the Summer Olympics provides a unique opportunity to showcase their cognitive and physical capabilities, as well as foster social interaction. The Olympics uses competitive games as a vehicle to teach sportsmanship, teambuilding and problem solving skills to each participant. The grant from the Youth Foundation will allow the program to accommodate a higher enrollment and to welcome new participants.
“We are very thankful to the Finish Line Youth Foundation for their support,” said Allison McGeough, Assistant Director of the Pediatric Day Healthcare Program (PDHC) and Recreation. “Since its inception, the Summer Olympics have fostered a spirit of healthy and friendly competition in the kids, and have done wonders in building their self-esteem. The games also help our children and young adults reach therapeutic milestones.”
St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, a national leader in pediatric post-acute care, offers summer camp programs for young people from ages 5-25 that have complex physical and developmental disabilities. The summer camp program helps children of all ages to grow and thrive in a healthy environment while building new skills and creating new friendships. Children receive rehabilitation services and medical care while participating in a variety of supervised indoor and outdoor activities, including sports, arts and crafts, field trips, and other fun therapeutic recreation and social activities.
Special thanks to the Finish Line Youth Foundation for their support.
