By: Liz Farmer

Former Oriole pitcher Jamie Moyer hasn’t forgotten about Baltimore — this week his foundation announced its plans to continue the expansion of bereavement camps for children and teens who have lost someone close to them by adding Baltimore to its list of new cities in 2010.

The Moyer Foundation’s “Camp Erin” was created in 2002 and is now the largest bereavement camp in the country with 36 camps in 23 states. With the addition of Baltimore and the other new cities, it is expected to serve nearly 2,500 kids between the ages of 6 and 17 this year. The foundation has a goal of establishing as many as 60 camps around the country, including one Camp Erin in every Major League Baseball city.

Moyer played for the Orioles from 1993-95 and he’s the oldest pitcher in the majors. The father of eight now plays for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Moyer’s foundation works to help children in distress and it also runs “Camp Mariposa,” a camp dedicated to serving children affected by addiction in their families.

In Baltimore Camp Erin is partnering with Roberta’s House, a family grief and loss center, on July 23-25 to introduce the program here.

You gotta think — Baltimore’s homicide rate being what it is, there’s probably a huge need for something like this in our community. But I wonder how well it will be accepted by those who really need it. Partnering with an established place like Roberta’s House is a smart move and hopefully the relationship is mutually beneficial for both organizations.