Easterseals Receives Grant from the Longwood Foundation

New Castle, DE – Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a local non-profit organization dedicated to creating an inclusive community through innovative services, has received a grant from the Longwood Foundation to benefit two critical projects at Easterseals Camp Fairlee: replacing the aquatics area and adding a sensory-friendly cabin.

“We are grateful to the Longwood Foundation for their incredible gift to our Camp Fairlee projects. Our new pool and sensory-friendly cabin will create decades of memories for current and future campers,” Easterseals President/CEO, Kenan Sklenar, said. “It is thanks to our partnerships we are able to continue to provide innovative services to our community.”

After 61 years of memories made in the current pool, Easterseals needed to demolish and build a new aquatic facility that includes a pool, pump house, and pool house so it is ready for the 2025 summer camp sessions. This state-of-the-art aquatic area will create a pool that is accessible with a zero-entry ramp, rails, a chair lift, a soft deck transfer station designed for safety, and a lanai for protection from the sun - ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience that is beneficial for all abilities.

The Sensory-Friendly cabin will vary from the current cabin design to accommodate campers requiring more intense physical, sensory, or behavioral support. Small group rooms within the cabin will provide sleeping quarters for 4-6 people, including campers and staff, and house approximately 20-24 people. Limiting the numbers in any single room reduces the sensory inputs to help promote campers’ ability to sleep through the night.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore is leading the way to an inclusive community through its innovative services, which include: children’s therapies, day programs for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, supported employment, personal attendant services, senior services, recreational camping, respite services, and services for caregivers. To learn more about Easterseals, call 1-800-677-3800 or visit www.de.easterseals.com.

Since 1937, the Longwood Foundation has invested in the quality of life and future of Delaware and southern Chester County. The Foundation intends to benefit the residents, environment, and culture of the state of Delaware and within a four-mile radius of Longwood Gardens. They seek to invest in nonprofit organizations that empower individuals and communities. Their intention is to provide grants that will accelerate an organization’s success towards addressing a community challenge within our geographic boundaries. They provide support across a variety of sectors, including (but not limited to) the arts, civic, education, environment, health and hospitals, housing, and social service areas.