July 17, 2012 -- As many a parent knows, there are all sorts of expenses when it comes to summer camp – and clothes are certainly high on that list.
County Executive Robert P. Astorino and "Pass It On Kids Kloset" have teamed up to provide clothes to the campers attending the current session of the county's Camp Morty, a sleepaway camp for children whose parents receive benefits from the Department of Social Services.
On Tuesday, Astorino and Stephanie Roth, executive director of the non-profit agency, delivered new summer outfits – one for every day of the week – to every Camp Morty camper. The event took place at the camp located at the Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem.
"I look forward to visiting Camp Morty every summer, and I'm especially happy that Pass It On Kids Kloset has joined us in making camp even more special this year," Astorino said. "What a great program Stephanie Roth has designed, not only to get clothes to kids who need them, but at the same time paying attention to sizes and styles that boys and girls really like. This is a great example of what can be accomplished when government, non-profits and the public join forces."
Camp Morty, a program of the Department of Social Services that receives support from Friends of Westchester County Parks, is a summer sleep-away camp where children from Westchester's cities enjoy a traditional camp experience complete with waterfront instruction and team-building activities. The county's Parks Department supports the program by providing the location for the camp at the 1,082-acre Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem. The program serves 360 children each summer.
Pass It On Kids Kloset, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services, is an all-volunteer effort that provides new and gently used children's clothing and essentials to local children and families in need. The program is supported by donations, primarily from local churches and synagogues.
While many non-profit agencies provide clothes for the needy, Kids Closet goes beyond that, said Roth.
"What makes Kids Kloset special is that we provide each child with a 'bag of love,' packed to his or her size and personal taste," she said. "The goal is to help the children increase their confidence, self esteem and health, and to decrease household stress."
The event taook place during sibling week, when children separated in foster care are reunited as families.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Kevin McGuire said, "One of the great features of Camp Morty is our sibling camp, where brothers and sisters in foster care get a chance once a year to get together as a family. I've looked around and I don't think anyone else in the country does this. Camp Morty is something we are very proud to be a part of and I look forward to my daily updates on camp from staff."
County Parks Commissioner Kathleen O'Connor said, "It is so gratifying to see our park come alive with Camp Morty children each summer. And this year, along with some great camp stories and memories, these boys and girls will go home with some great new things to wear, thanks to this unique Kids Kloset program."