New York State Sheriff's Association summer camp receives Walmart Foundation grant to assist camp's nutrition education program ~ O'Mara praises camp's efforts to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged and at-risk youth

Penn Yan, N.Y., August 4--The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute announced earlier this week that it has received a $47,000 grant from Walmart to assist with its youth summer camp nutrition program.  The grant—which was given to the non-profit organization through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program—will work to support the camp’s efforts to promote good nutrition and allow for the hiring of an educator to implement the camp’s nutrition curriculum and teach campers about the importance of healthy eating.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp provides more than 800 disadvantaged and high-risk youth from across the state each year with the opportunity to experience summer camp at no cost to their families. It runs six summer sessions, each of which is one-week long and open to children between the ages of 9 and 12. At Sheriffs’ Camp, campers positively interact with Sheriffs’ officers and experience activities, recreation and social situations which may be very new to them. They learn about the dangers of substance abuse, gangs and violence, while gaining self-respect and respect for others.

Walmart presented the grant to the Sheriffs' Institute during a check presentation ceremony held on Monday, August 2, at the Summer Camp on Keuka Lake, just south of Penn Yan.  During the ceremony, Jason Klipa, Walmart’s director of government affairs and public relations, presented the check to Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike, the Institute’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. Executive Director O’Brien and Senator O’Mara were also in attendance.

Senator O'Mara, who represents the 58th Senate District including Yates County, said, "On behalf of the 58th Senate District across the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions, I'm grateful to express our collective appreciation to the Walmart Foundation for its generous support of the Sheriffs' Institute's Summer Camp on Keuka Lake. The camp provides a fantastic educational and recreational experience and opportunity for economically disadvantaged youth. Deputy Sheriffs serve each summer as positive mentors for our young people and we can’t thank these law enforcement officers enough for their willingness to serve as role models who make a difference.”

Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike said, “We’re very excited to partner with Walmart to develop and run a nutrition education program at our camp. The Sheriff’s Camp is supported solely through generous donations, and this grant will go a long way in helping our campers stay healthy and happy and make good choices at camp and beyond.”

Chris O'Brien, Executive Director of the Sheriffs' Institute, said, "We are very grateful for Walmart’s generous contribution.  With their support, we now offer our campers nutrition education along with our many recreation, athletic and educational activities. Teaching kids at a young age the value of good nutrition will benefit them through their adolescent years and well into adulthood.” 

Jason Klipa, Walmart’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Relations, said, “Walmart is thrilled to support the Sheriff’s Association Institute’s summer camp and specifically their nutrition program. Their efforts to teach kids about the importance of nutrition will have a positive impact on their health and we are proud to support that work.”

[In the photo above, from left to right at the check presentation ceremony are: longtime Camp Director Dave Sherman of Elmira, Sheriffs' Institute Executive Director Chris O'Brien, Senator O'Mara, Walmart's Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs Jason Klipa, and Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike].

The Sheriffs’ Institute is a leading non-profit organization, formed in 1979 and made up of all elected and appointed sheriffs statewide. Sheriff’s Summer Camp was established in 1977 and since that time has served more than 22,000 young people from low income communities across the state.  The summer camp offers children a variety of both land and water based activities throughout the week, as well as demonstrations performed by Sheriffs including fire safety, bicycle safety and drug prevention. 

The contribution to the Sheriffs’ Institute was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s New York State Giving Program (SGP). Through this program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.

Last year, the New York State Giving Program awarded more than $24 million to local organizations.  In New York, a team of local associates determine needs within each state, review eligible grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation.

To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application.  Eligible applicants must have a current 501©(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum funding criteria.  Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at http://giving.walmart.com/apply-for-grants/.

In Fiscal Year 2016, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave $1.42 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world.