Fund promotes health and wellness for children and families of Newport County

Newport Hospital’s Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund has awarded a total of $110,334 to 20 local organizations that enhance the lives of children and families throughout Newport County. Among those receiving awards are programs that promote active lifestyles, education, and fun for children and teenagers.

“We share in the fund’s goal of supporting the health and well-being of our youngest community members,” said Crista F. Durand, president of Newport Hospital. “The FHP fund is a wonderful resource for families here in Newport County, and we’re so proud that it resides at and is administered by Newport Hospital. Our involvement with the fund and the outstanding programs it supports is all part of our commitment to helping children develop active, healthy lifestyles. We’re honored to help support these organizations.”

These annual grants began in 2010 when Elizabeth Prince of Newport and her children Guillaume de Ramel, Diana Oehrli, and Regis de Ramel presented Newport Hospital a $3 million grant from the Frederick Henry Prince 1932 Trust. With the gift, the Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund was established in partnership with Newport Hospital to provide activities for school-aged children who might not have access to other programs.

“The impact of the Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund at Newport Hospital continues to grow. We are proud to support unique local programs and organizations that are dedicated to the health and well-being of children and youth,” said Guillaume de Ramel.

“With increased awareness about the fund, we are having more opportunity to provide grant resources to new and innovative programs that help local youth in Newport County become, and remain, active and healthy throughout their lives.”

Since the fund was established, more than $507,492 has been awarded to area groups that emphasize physical fitness and self-discipline while discouraging the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs.

The 2018 Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund recipients and projects include:

  • Bike Newport ($10,000): Expanding the North End Bike Library program
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County ($6,854): Creating a fitness program to serve 30 children with special needs
  • Butler Basketball Club ($3,700): Offering a six-week “Skills and Drills” clinic for youngsters up to age 14 at the Newport Recreation Center
  • FabNewport ($5,000): Providing a bike exploration of Newport’s rich cultural, educational and recreational opportunities for needy children
  • International Tennis Hall of Fame ($7,500): Establishing a National Junior Tennis and Learning program
  • Island Moving Company ($5,000): Expanding the scholarship program and building community engagement
  • Newport Community School ($10,000): Creating a food lab to teach youth and their family members nutrition and cooking skills
  • Newport County Shooting Stars ($1,000): Expanding reach of soccer team for children with special needs
  • Newport County YMCA ($10,000): Enrolling children aged 6-16 in the 12-week “Prescribe the Y” program to reduce childhood obesity in Newport County through comprehensive physical fitness and nutrition education programming
  • Newport Gulls ($2,500): Student-athletes will visit middle schools to share the “Powered by Prince” mission, conduct field days; Gulls will work with school administration to distribute summer camp scholarships
  • Newport Open Space ($3,000): Help provide “Play Hut” activities at Miantonomi Park.
  • Newport Rugby ($5,000): Establishing a league for 7th and 8th graders
  • Norman Bird Sanctuary ($3,000): Offering hiking programs to underserved youth
  • Petite Gourmande ($7,280): Promoting health and wellness for Newport County teens through education, activities, and mentorship
  • Potter League for Animals ($2,500): Providing scholarships for “Happy & Healthy Pets and People” summer camp
  • RhodySquash ($8,000): Offering eight students the opportunity to attend RhodySquash summer camp in conjunction with the YMCA
  • Sail Newport ($5,000): Continuing the Newport public school fourth-grade sailing program
  • Sail to Prevail ($5,000): Providing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to experience adaptive sailing
  • Special Olympics RI ($5,000): Unified Juniors Sports Program for children 8 to 12 years old, with and without intellectual disabilities
  • Star Kids ($5,000): Supervised after-school and summer camp experiences for youth in kindergarten through grade 12 who have a parent with a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse

For more information about the Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund at Newport Hospital, please visit the website.