Colgate University Alumni honored for founding and supporting the Fiver Children’s Foundation

Tom & Heather Tucker on the grounds of Camp Fiver in 1998.

Despite spending only one summer at a camp as a child (and most of that time in the infirmary!), Tom Tucker (Colgate ’67) knew many people for whom summer camp had been an impactful experience. He knew people who made lifelong friends, learned valuable lessons and developed a sense of independence at camp. In addition, Heather Tucker, Tom’s wife, had spent time volunteering at a summer camp called Holiday House near their home in Huntington, Long Island. They both saw the meaningful impact that the camp was having on the children. The seed of an idea was planted. Tom retired after nearly twenty years at Lehman Brothers, following a stint as an officer in the Navy, and owner of bar-restaurant, Finnegan’s in Huntington, among other adventures, and decided to dedicate the rest of his life to helping kids, starting with a camp.

While searching for land upon which to build a camp, Tom scoured the Adirondacks but never found the perfect spot.  In 1996, he received a call from a realtor in Hamilton, NY, home of Colgate University, his alma mater. The Keefe Farm in Poolville, New York, five miles south of Hamilton, was about to come on the market. The Keefe brothers felt strongly that they would only sell the 129-acre piece of property to someone who would use it for a positive purpose.  The stars aligned and they met Tom and Heather.  They surveyed the property and immediately decided that the rolling hills, cornfields, woodlands, wetlands and lake would make an ideal location for a camp.  Tom met with the local residents about his dream and was delighted to include central New York youth in the program.

Tom formed a board of directors, made up of his colleagues from his Lehman Brother’s career and experts in camping and youth development.  The nine members of the founding board held their first meeting at the farmhouse just outside the newly purchased farmland.  There were several important decisions made in those early meetings. First, that the program would serve children for ten years, from age 8 through 18. The long-term commitment would become a hallmark and key to success for the program.  Second, they agreed that the program would focus on cultivating character. They understood that helping children learn to work as a team, try new things, and make good decisions would translate into success in school, careers, and life. These early tenets remain the core vision of the program to this day.

Tom and the board raised more than $3 million to transform the Keefe farm into Camp Fiver and in 2000, opened its doors, free of charge, to 254 kids facing lack of opportunity due to financial and institutional barriers.  Today, the organization serves 500 youth each year from New York City and central New York, and has graduated over 500 alumni from the ten-year program.  

When it came to designing the buildings for Camp Fiver, Tom turned to fellow Colgate alumnus and fraternity brother, Ira Haspel (’67).  Ira walked the property with Tom while in Hamilton, NY for their 30th college reunion. Tom shared his vision for the camp and Ira immediately offered assistance. Ira’s beloved late wife, K.K., was the contractor on the project and he was the architect. Together, their partnership brought Tom’s vision to life.  The property includes a dining hall, learning cabins, sleeping cabins, office, horse barn, waterfront and swimming pool.  Their son, Max, (Colgate ’95), continued their legacy of generosity and leadership as a longtime Fiver board member. Max would open the door to countless new relationships and revenue sources including several Colgate alumni who followed in his footsteps as board members.

When it came to naming the camp, a few options were considered, including “Tom’s Farm,” and “Camp Strawberry.”  The group soon settled on Camp Fiver.  Fiver is a rabbit character in the novel, Watership Down by the late Richard Adams.  The book was a favorite of Tom’s.  The rabbit, Fiver, had always stood out to him as the brave visionary. Fiver demonstrated courage in leading his family to a safe new home, away from the dangers that awaited them if they failed to move.  Not unlike the rabbit, Fiver, our youth are seeking opportunity.

Thanks to the leadership of Tom and Heather Tucker and the Haspel Family, the Fiver Children’s Foundation exists to provide that opportunity for hundreds of youth from New York City and central New York.

On April 28, 2020, the organization will honor Tom and Heather Tucker and the Haspel Family at the 20th Anniversary Fiver Benefit at Capitale in Manhattan.  Please contact Melissa Benjamin at melissa@fiver.org or 212-971-9562 with questions about the event.  For information about tickets and sponsorship, please visit https://one.bidpal.net/fiver.

Tom Tucker at the 2019 Benefit.