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(Hawley, October 25, 2007)…The little girl was soaking wet, but G. Richard Garman, head of Wayne Memorial Health Foundation didn’t mind it when she hugged him. “I love you and thank you guys for letting us come here and swim!” she squealed. Garman left the pool at Woodloch Springs the afternoon of October 4th with his suit a bit rumpled, but his spirits high.  Thirteen youngsters in the Honesdale Communities That Care (CTC) program were learning swimming and water safety skills because the Hospital’s Foundation had awarded the program a $5400 grant. The grant will cover three 8-week sessions for close to 45 children.

      “We really feel this learn-to-swim project is a great addition to our regular program,” says Kathy Grandjean, Executive Director of CTC. “It encourages physical fitness and teaches a new skill at the same time.” 

      CTC is set up to provide a safe environment for children after school, particularly “latch-key youngsters” who come home to an empty house. Studies show that unsupervised children are more prone to accidents and injuries and are more likely to participate in delinquent activities or experiment with alcohol, tobacco, drugs and sex. 

      “A properly designed program can have strong positive effects on our children’s academic,

social, and emotional lives,” says Grandjean. “What students do during their out of school time hours has as much bearing on their success as what they do during the school day.”

      The Wayne Memorial Health Foundation is committed to providing for the future of Wayne Memorial Health System. It’s also dedicated to the Health System’s mission to “improve the health of our community.