Memphis, Tenn., Mar. 9, 2004 - The MDRT Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Baptist Trinity Hospice’s Camp Good Grief bereavement programs. 

Thomas E. Cooper, of the Thomas E. Cooper Agency and a 21-year member of MDRT, the Million Dollar Round Table, secured the grant on behalf of Baptist. Representing the MDRT Foundation, Cooper will present this grant to Baptist on May 21 at the Insurance Underwriters Association’s monthly meeting.

The MDRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. MDRT is an international, independent association of nearly 28,000, or less than 1 percent, of the world’s best life insurance and financial services professionals from 68 nations and territories. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional product knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. Membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. 

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide MDRT members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the foundation has donated $11.6 million in 61 countries around the world. The majority of the funds were raised by MDRT members from MDRT members. Some of the other organizations that have benefited from the MDRT Foundation grants include the Make-A-Wish Foundation, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity. This year, the MDRT Foundation will award $900,000 in grants to more than 115 charities.

Baptist Trinity Hospice created the Mid-South’s first children’s bereavement camp, Camp Good Grief, in 1999. Due to the success of the children’s camp, Baptist decided in 2001 to develop a program that focused on the special bereavement needs of area teens, Teen Camp Good Grief, and then developed Camp Good Grief for Adults in 2003. 

The goal of the free camps is to offer children, teens and adults an enjoyable, accepting and supportive environment where they can freely express their feelings about the death of a loved one. Under the guidance of professional bereavement staff, participants meet others who have experienced similar losses. Campers have the opportunity to explore their grief through art, music, adventure activities and support groups. 

“Children, adolescents and adults have unique grief reactions and coping skills,” said Angela Hamblen, bereavement supervisor for Baptist Trinity Hospice and director of the Camp Good Grief bereavement camp programs. “Therefore, they need services that are directed toward them and meet them where they are developmentally. Baptist is proud to be the first to offer these important services to the community.”

Any child between the ages of 7 to 12, any adolescent between the ages of 13 to 16 or any adult who has lost a loved one in the past two years is eligible to apply for these free camps, which are funded through donations, fund-raisers and a grant from the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation. 

If you would like more information about the work of the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation or wish to make a contribution to a camp fund, please call (901) 227-7121 or (800) 895-4483, or you may visit the secure online donation site at www.baptistonline.org. 

To request an application or for more information about one of Baptist Trinity Hospice’s Camp Good Grief bereavement programs, please call (901) 767-6767.

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