Dec. 5, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan
St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children was one of 370 nonprofits across the country to receive a $10,000 neighborhood grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures, an initiative started in 2001 to ease health challenges faced by children.
“This Giving Tuesday, we are grateful to Rite Aid Healthy Futures for their work to improve the health and wellness of children across the country and for awarding our organization with this generous grant,” said Dr. Edwin Simpser, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. “Philanthropic grants like this one are vital in helping the talented staff at St. Mary’s change the lives of our young patients and their families.”
The Rite Aid Healthy Futures’ Empowering Children initiative awarded $3.7 million in neighborhood grants to local nonprofits across 17 states. Out of dozens of child-focused and grassroots organizations in the state to receive the grant, only two in Queens were selected.
The Child Center of NY in Forest Hills was another Queens based nonprofit that received the grant. They offer a comprehensive approach with early childhood education, counseling and afterschool programs.
“Children today face acute and converging crises across a range of fields that adversely impact their quality of life,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Thanks to the generosity of Rite Aid customers, these hyperlocal organizations can continue to provide much needed programs and services steadying the course for children today and guiding them toward promising tomorrows.”
The grants are funded by Rite Aid customers who choose to round up their purchases online and in-store to contribute the change. The KidCents customer fundraising program began in 2013 and has raised an average of $10 million annually.
St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside provides long-term care to children with special needs and medically complex conditions.