Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation Provides Grant to The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc. (Opens in a new Window)

Worcester, MA - July 19, 2021 - The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation recently provided a $10,000 grant to The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc. This grant will be used to fund the organization's supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency COVID-19 antigen rapid testing for their summer day camp and fall programming.

After shifting their 2020 summer programs to a virtual format at the height of the pandemic, the Barton Center generously donated their PPE supplies to local hospitals, clinics, and first responders. They have switched their traditional overnight summer camp program into a day camp program for this summer. The grant provided by Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation will help The Barton Center ensure they're welcoming children and counselors with diabetes back to a safe environment.

'At Rockland Trust, we strive to be the Bank Where Each Relationship Matters® and we are inspired by The Barton Center and the inclusive environment they create for children with type one diabetes,' said Peter Staiti, Worcester Commercial Lending Center Manager at Rockland Trust & Board of Trustees Member at Barton Center. 'The pandemic has impacted many camps, and particularly medical specialty camps, over the last year and a half. Rockland Trust and the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation are happy to provide support to the Barton Center as they continue to empower local families, throughout our community, to live fuller and healthier lives.'

The children served by The Barton Center are often isolated and singled out because of their diabetes and the associated challenges. Frequently, they are the only child with Type 1 diabetes in their class or school. This feeling of isolation leaves children feeling embarrassed or ashamed by the disease. Fortunately, the Barton Center provides the opportunity for children to attend camp and be surrounded by outstanding role models and peers who are fighting the same everyday battles of highs and lows. Campers develop a circle of friends who understand what they are going through. Throughout the year, many stay in touch, counting down the days until they all return to camp again. Many campers become counselors when they age out of the program.

'The Barton Center is grateful for the generous support of Rockland Trust. It was wonderful that members of the trust visited camp to witness first hand the camaraderie amongst campers, staff and everyone involved,' said Lynn Butler-Dinunno, Executive Director at The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc.

In addition to creating and hosting programs, The Barton Center collaborates with other organizations to raise public awareness of diabetes and invite children to join their year-round camps. These collaborations include the Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston Children's Hospital, American Diabetes Association (ADA), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, and the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services. The Barton Center is a member of the Diabetes Education & Camping Association (DECA) and the MA Camping Association and is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).