The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation Donates $500,000 to The Campaign for Camp Fire

Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation has helped Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council reach its midpoint in the $9 Million Capital Campaign.

Seattle Wash (PRWEB) June 15, 2003 --- Today, Lee Drechsel, the chief executive officer of Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council, announced a leadership gift of $500,000 from The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation to The Campaign for Camp Fire. The donation will help support the renovation and transformation of Camp Sealth and Camp Niwana into year-round facilities that will serve more than 2,000 additional youth and 100 community groups each year through camping programs, retreats, and environmental education. This support will also enable Camp Fire to extend its reach to disadvantaged youth, and to improve its service to children, youth and families with special needs.

The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation is delighted to support to Camp Fires efforts to extend camping opportunities to more children. The campaign to create year-round facilities will enhance Camp Fire's programs and benefit the whole community," said Peter Berliner, Senior Program Officer of the Paul G. Allen Foundations.

More than two million children have passed through Camp Fires portals since 1911. Plans for the camps include weatherization, restoration and expansion of the environmental education program, which began last year to assist schools in meeting the state mandate.

Camp Fire USA is a nationwide nonprofit youth development agency that serves over 650,000 participants in 41 states. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire builds caring, confident youth and future leaders. Local branch offices in Bremerton, Redmond, Kent and Seattle serve more than 17,000 boys and girls, ages 5 to 18. For information on Camp Fire programs, call 1-800-451-CAMP or visit http://www.campfire-usa.org/

The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation is dedicated to promoting the healthy development of vulnerable populations and to strengthening families and communities in the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation invests in effective organizations that address significant community needs, reflect best practices, leverage public and private resources, and contribute to lasting, positive social change. Past grant recipients have included YMCA of Greater Seattle, Refugee Womens Alliance, Seattle Public Library Foundation, and Outside In of Portland.

Founded in 1988, the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation is administered through Vulcan Inc. of Seattle. Press Contact: Michael Nank, The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation, 206.342.2000 or michaelna@vulcan.com.
   
###