FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 19, 2008

CONTACT:
Cindy Hickey, 330-489-1212
cindy.hickey@cantonmercy.org

Mercy Ambassador Volunteer Awarded Ymca Camp Scholarship
McKinley Student Receives Character Scholarship for Full Week at YMCA Camp Tippecanoe

Canton, Ohio: Mercy Medical Center ambassador Volunteer Aneka Nelson was recently awarded one of several YMCA of Central Stark County Certificate of Character Scholarships for a full week at the YMCA's Camp Tippecanoe this summer.

Angela Hayes, manager of Mercy Volunteer Services and YMCA board member, has observed Nelson's work at Mercy. She said, "Aneka regularly demonstrates the YMCA's core character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility."

Nelson, who attends McKinley High School in Canton, is among several area students receiving YMCA character scholarships. Her favorite activities include reading and helping others.

The YMCA developed the character scholarship to recognize outstanding youth in the community who could benefit from leadership and enrichment opportunities at Camp Tippecanoe, which this summer celebrates 50 years of providing quality resident outdoor amping programs for youth.

Camp Tippecanoe, located on 1,100 acres near Clendening Lake in Harrison County, offers a natural setting for a variety of activities that encourage group building, social skills, aelf-esteem, character and environmental awareness. For more information about the camp, visit Ymcastark.org.

Mercy Medical Center, a nonprofit corporation of the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of Southeastern Ohio. It has 550 physicians on its Medical Staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Carrollton, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville and North Canton. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community, including the provision of care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.