Dan Osman, Director of Development at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, received the organization’s first place award for Vermont at Fenway Park. Credit: Rachel O’Driscoll/Boston Red Sox
The IMPACT Awards, presented by the Red Sox Foundation and the Ruderman Family Foundation, support organizations that raise awareness and improve outcomes related to mental health.
Vermont Business Magazine Camp Ta-Kum-Ta was awarded the $10,000 first-place prize in Vermont last Wednesday night as part of the 8th Annual IMPACT Awards, a joint initiative of the Red Sox Foundation and the Ruderman Family Foundation , which for the third year in a row continues its mission to support organizations that have demonstrated a profound impact in raising awareness and improving mental health outcomes in their community.
One of 18 winners in six New England states, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta offers challenging and extraordinary experiences in a safe and loving environment for children who have or have had cancer and their families at no cost.
Along with traditional camp activities like swimming, athletics, ropes courses, and arts and crafts, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like rock-climbing expeditions, hot-air balloon rides, formal dances, and cruises. near the lake.
The IMPACT Awards give Red Sox fans the opportunity to nominate their favorite nonprofit organizations for support and funding. Through a $125,000 grant from the Ruderman Family Foundation, the awards award winning nonprofits a $10,000 first-place grant, a $3,000 second-place grant, or a $2,000 grant. for third place. The eligible organizations with the most online votes from fans were the designated winners, with three nonprofits selected from each New England state.
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Executive Director Dennis DePaul said, “We are excited and honored to have been selected as the Vermont recipients of the Red Sox Foundation’s 2022 Impact Award. As Camp Ta-Kum-Ta reopens its in-person programs, our COVID-19 prevention strategies have proven costly. The $10,000 grant will not only help us keep our immunocompromised children safe, it will also enhance our ability to provide fun and playful experiences. Our deepest thanks to The Red Sox and Ruderman Family Foundations and the Vermont community who voted for us!”
The second place winner in Vermont is Grace Cottage Hospital, which addresses the health care needs of its community, promotes wellness, alleviates suffering and restores health. The third place winner is NAMI Vermont, a statewide nonprofit grassroots volunteer organization made up of people living with a mental health condition, families and advocates. Provides education, support and advocacy on mental health issues.
Winners were recognized at a pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park on Wednesday, receiving their awards on the field alongside Ruderman Family Foundation Deputy Director Dr. Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim, Fenway Sports Group Partner and Boston CEO Globe Media, Linda Pizzuti Henry, Honorary Fellow of the Red Sox Foundation. President Tim Wakefield; and Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President for Social Impact and Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser.
“Mental health continues to be an ever-growing epidemic, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thrilled to once again partner with the Red Sox Foundation on our annual IMPACT Awards as we seek to address and normalize the stigma associated with mental illness.” . health throughout New England society and beyond,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Each of this year’s IMPACT Award winners has demonstrated their commitment to carrying out this important mission within their communities, and by recognizing and supporting these efforts, we hope others will be inspired to do the same.”
Red Sox fans had the opportunity to nominate a nonprofit organization in the mental health space from April 7-20. After the finalists were named on May 2, online voting was held until May 31.
“Our society is facing a mental health epidemic that has only been exacerbated by the events of the past two years,” said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. “To help address this growing problem, we have partnered with the Ruderman Family Foundation for the third year in a row to award our IMPACT Award grants to organizations that are doing incredible work in the mental health space. This year’s honorees are in their respective communities every day deploying resources and improving results. We are proud to honor their work and raise awareness of this critically important issue and help fund organizations that are on the front lines of fighting it.”
Last month, the Red Sox Foundation and the Ruderman Family Foundation pledged support to combat the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. In a panel discussion on May 2, the foundations acknowledged the ongoing mental health crisis and the unique platform the sports industry has to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. The event included opening remarks from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy, and MLB Vice President and Special Assistant to Commissioner Billy Bean.
BOSTON, MA, June 16, 2022—Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
