The Hanger Charitable Foundation recently announced it has awarded a $100,000 grant to the nonprofit Camp No Limits, which provides education, mentorship and support to children with limb loss or limb difference. According to a press release, the grant will fund 100 scholarships for campers to attend any of the organization’s 10 locations in 2016.
“Camp No Limits profoundly and immediately impacts the lives of the children who attend,” Vinit K. Asar, president and chief executive officer of Hanger Inc. and chair of the Hanger Charitable Foundation, said in the press release. “We are so pleased to continue helping children and their families benefit from this truly rewarding experience.”
Hanger Inc. previously provided a $100,000 grant to support the 2014 to 2015 camp seasons, and Hanger employees have volunteered with the program since 2004.
The Reid family received Hanger-funded scholarships in 2015 for their three children, Sarah, Michael and Emily.
“Camp No Limits was a fantastic and liberating experience for our entire family,” Linda Reid, the children’s mother, said in the press release. “Sarah, Michael and Emily, all of whom have limb loss, had the time of their lives. The camp provided a safe setting where they could feel the freedom of not having to explain their limb differences to people unfamiliar with limb loss. It also gave them forums to share their experiences, as well as the support and encouragement to fight their fears and try new things without being judged. They were just able to be themselves and have fun.”
Mary Leighton, OTR/L, founder and executive director of Camp No Limits, said a transformation can be seen immediately in most children who attend the camp.
“Within hours of being at camp, we see children — who once hid their residual limbs — comparing prosthetic devices, riding bikes for the first time and enjoying life, uninhibited, as all children should,” Leighton said. “It is the empowerment and comfort of engaging with someone who is like you and understands you.”
She added, “We are thankful for the generous support from the Hanger Charitable Foundation, our first platinum sponsor, and honored that the foundation values our program. These funds significantly impact our ability to further the Camp No Limits’ mission to educate, empower and support young people with limb loss and their families.”
Scholarships are available to new or returning campers and cover the cost of attendance, lodging, meals and activities. The scholarships also are available to teens who want to serve as mentors in the camp’s new “Inspire Program.”
Details and scholarship applications are available at www.nolimitsfoundation.org/ or www.hanger.com/CampNoLimits.
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