The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Awards Camp Fire USA $237,000 Matching Grant for Capital Campaign

M.J. Murdock, a northwest based charitable trust awards Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council a $237,000 matching grant for their capital campaign. This matching grant is specifically earmarked for the renovation of Camp Sealth's Priscilla White Lodge.

Seattle WA (PRWEB) January 14, 2004 --Today, Lee Drechsel, the chief executive officer of Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council, announced the award of a $237,000 matching grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for the purpose of renovating and winterizing Camp Sealths Priscilla White Lodge. In order to qualify for these funds, Camp Fire must raise $237,000 from new sources.

The Priscilla White Lodge is one of 18 projects included in The Campaign for Camp Fire, a $9 million fundraising drive to renovate and transform Camp Fire USAs Camp Sealth on Vashon Island and Camp Niwana near Port Orchard into year-round facilities that will serve more than 12,000 youth each year through camping programs, retreats, and environmental education. Murdock Trusts grant 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. To date, over $5.3 million has been raised towards the $9 million Campaign for Camp Fire goal.
   The Priscilla White Lodge is one of our most important buildings at Camp Sealth, not only because of its historic significance, but it is the single most accessible building at Camp Sealth with its close proximity to the main road, Rounds Hall dining area, the beach and other key elements of the camping experience. With the support of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, improvements afford campers with limited mobility, the greatest access so that they will be able to fully participate in all camp activities," said Lee Drechsel.

   More than two million children have passed through Camp Fires portals since 1911. Plans for the camps include weatherization and restoration of program buildings, and expansion of the environmental education program, which began last year to assist schools in meeting the state environmental education 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 M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust was created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, who was a co-founder of Tektronix, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon, and a resident of Vancouver, Washington. Since its establishment on June 30, 1975, the Trust has focused its grantmaking efforts in five states of the Pacific Northwest: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The historical emphasis of the Trusts grantmaking has been education and scientific research.

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