wings of hope - United Healthcare Children`s Foundation

Spring 2016 | Volume 2
WINGS OF HOPE
A Minute With Matt
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Your Dollars
In Action
A Minute with Matt
Dear Friends,
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The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) continues to thrive from the
Program Updates
more than 670 children by funding $1.6M in medical grants. I’m pleased to introduce
generosity of our donors and volunteers. As of May 1st, we have been privileged to help
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you to two of our grant recipients in this Wings of Hope issue.
Events Across
The Country
Our goal is to continue to help as many children as we can throughout the year. Please
help us spread the word to achieve this goal! Grants are available and we encourage
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you to share our information with family members and friends.
UHCCF Products
The Foundation continues to flourish due to the generous donations of our donors and
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their employee matching, the numerous retail products that are available for purchase
on Amazon, and the fundraising events across the nation. We would not be able to
continue to award the medical grants at the level we do without the generous support
of all of our sponsors, donors and volunteers.
You can read more about our progress in the 2015 annual report. And if you have
suggestions, comments or ideas you would like to share with us, please click here.
Sincerely,
Matt Peterson
Visit UHCCF.org
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Spring 2016 | Volume 2
Wings Of Hope
Your Dollars In Action
Nolan
Four-year-old Nolan was diagnosed with a speech delay and seizure disorder.
UHCCF’s grant has aided with the expense of medical food, neurology visits
and therapy – and Nolan has not had a seizure for more than 500 days! This
makes it possible for him to try new prescription medical meals. And thanks
to his speech therapy, Nolan’s family and friends are now able to clearly
communicate with him.
A typical little boy, Nolan likes to swim, talk and play with his brother.
He also loves going to school. His mom Jennifer said, “He looks forward
to going to school and hopes to remain seizure free so he can work his
way out of his individualized education program.”
Ava
Two-year-old Ava is as brave as one of the lions she loves reading about in
her favorite animal books. And while she may not have a huge roar just yet,
she’s now able to hear the world around her much better.
A grant from UHCCF helped make it possible for Ava to receive the
hearing aids she needed after being diagnosed with severe hearing loss.
Now she’s singing, creating animal sounds and making noise in much
bigger ways. She recently participated in the Hearing Loss Association
of America’s Walk4Hearing, and “Team Ava” raised $670. Way to go Ava!
Visit UHCCF.org
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Spring 2016 | Volume 2
Wings Of Hope
Program Updates
Delivering Grins® Program
Generous UnitedHealthcare sales teams are taking Delivering Grins to new levels
by embracing the program as a social responsibility activity and a way to give
back to their local communities. Since February, more than 330 Grins to Go® bags
have been delivered to children at hospitals nationwide. We now have Grins to
Go bags in all 50 states! Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in the
following events. You helped bring smiles to the faces of so many children.
UnitedHealthcare Texas Health Plan Operations Conference / February 17, 2016
100 bags delivered to Sunshine Kids Foundation in Houston
OptumRx, OptumCare and UnitedHealthcare Pharmacy Operations / April 13, 2016
100 bags delivered to University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis
Children’s Hospital and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
UnitedHealthcare Executive Advisory Council / April 20, 2016
65 bags delivered to Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital
UnitedHealthcare Sales University / May 4, 2016
65 bags delivered to Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis
Grins2
At the heart of the Grins2 program is Grins to Go - a boredom-busting bag of
amusing gifts and activities. With Grins2, one child receives a dose of laughter
and inspiration through the gifts they find inside the bag, and another child
will be impacted through a UHCCF medical grant, made possible by the
funds raised by those who purchase the bag for a personal donation or via
corporate giving. All proceeds fund UHCCF medical grants for children.
Grins to Go bags that are purchased through our site are assembled by
volunteers and donated to children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses
selected at time of purchase.
As of May 1st, UHCCF has delivered more than 350 this year to children’s
hospitals and Ronald McDonald houses nationwide. We are grateful to all
who have participated in this program, and remind you that this is not just a
seasonal program – a smile is a welcome gift any time of the year! And now
you can donate directly to children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses
nationwide through our website at uhccf.org/grins2program.
Visit UHCCF.org
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Spring 2016 | Volume 2
Wings Of Hope
Events Across the Country
A Perfect Day in Louisiana
The Louisiana Golf Classic was held on April 4th at Chateau Golf and Country Club in
Kenner, Louisiana. More than 40 golfers attended the tournament, and the weather
couldn’t have been better. Everyone who took part had a wonderful time, and
together they raised more than $30,000 for UHCCF. Thank you to our very generous
sponsors, donors and volunteers who contributed to this successful event.
Jack Shuff, VP of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual
Small Business kicked off the event and served as master of
ceremonies and auctioneer at the event awards banquet.
2016 Louisiana
Golf Classic
attendees
enjoyed a day
of sunshine
and golf.
Cheers… New Jersey Wine Tasting Event
Raises More Than $52,000!
With the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop,
the New Jersey Health Plan hosted their 3rd Annual UnitedHealthcare Children’s
Foundation Wine Tasting. It took place on beautiful Liberty Island at the Liberty
House in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Host Paul Marden, UnitedHealthcare New Jersey Health Plan CEO, welcomed more
than 150 UnitedHealthcare leaders, brokers, providers and employees from the
area. New Jersey District Senator Sandra Cunningham also attended and spoke
passionately about UHCCF and the importance of spreading the word.
Attendees enjoyed fantastic food and wine, participated in a silent auction and were
able to meet Shelby, a 14-year-old UHCCF grant recipient from Hainesport, New
Jersey. Shelby’s mom, Angie, shared the story of how their grant helped Shelby
receive her much-needed hearing aids. They are immensely grateful about their
UHCCF medical grant opportunity.
At the end of the event, more than $52,000 was raised for the Foundation! A sincere
thank you goes out to Kim Gellman, (Account Manager of the NJ Health Plan), Maria
Daniele-Pomponio (NE Liaison for the UHCCF), and all the volunteers and supporters
who made this event unforgettable.
Grant recipient
Shelby (center) with
her mom (right) and
aunt (left).
L-R: Paul Marden (UnitedHealthcare), Kim
Gellman (UnitedHealthcare), NJ Senator Sandra
Cunningham (D-District 31), and grant recipients
Angie (mom) and Shelby.
Visit UHCCF.org
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Spring 2016 | Volume 2
Wings Of Hope
“Bring Your Child to Work Day”
The UnitedHealth Group Nevada Market welcomed more than 150 children at
their “Bring Your Child to Work Day” on April 28th. Children participated in a day
filled with speakers, games and fun activities at the Nevada UnitedHealth Group
Corporate Office. UHCCF hosted the event as a way to give back to the community
and practice the UnitedHealth Group values of Relationships and Compassion.
UHCCF volunteers and attendees played the custom UHCCF “Spot it!” matching
card game and fun was had by all! A special thanks to the volunteers, children and
the Nevada event planning team who made this event possible.
Children gather
at the UnitedHealth Group
corporate office in
Nevada to enjoy a day
full of fun and activities
through “Bring Your Child
to Work Day.”
Children enjoy playing a round of
Spot it! with UHCCF volunteers
Ride Into Spring Online Fundraising Auction
UHCCF’s first annual online cycling auction opened public bidding from May 9th
through May 23.rd The auction included amazing items - all benefiting UHCCF
medical grants for kids. Credited to the fundraising efforts of the MN Century Ride
and Velo & Vines cycling rides, the auction raised more than $59,000 in funds for
UHCCF medical grants.
Thank you to all item donors, especially the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team,
Optum and Rally Pro Cycling Teams, Circuit Sport, TRPN and Diamondback. And
special thanks to those who participated as customers of the auction! If you missed
your chance to bid this year, stay tuned for next year’s Spring online auction!
Register Now
for an event near you!
• June 11 Velo & Vines
• July 24 MN Century Ride
• July 25 Golf Classic
at Hazeltine
• Sept 11 Teddy Bear Run
Visit UHCCF.org
Stay tuned for other upcoming online auctions such as the
UHCCF Golf Classic Online Auction beginning in July and the
Holiday Toy Auction opening in November.
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Spring 2016 | Volume 2
Wings Of Hope
Tickets for Hope
UHCCF has partnered with tix4cause to give you access to discounted
event tickets for concerts, sporting events, theater performances,
exhibitions and more! Through tix4cause, you can do the things you
love and give back at the same time. tix4cause has tickets to events
and venues across the country, so visit the site to view their wide
inventory in your region and select UHCCF as the benefiting charity!
Do you have concert or event tickets that you cannot use? We encourage
you to think about donating the tickets to UHCCF via tix4cause.
You can learn about the process for donating tickets on our site.
All proceeds from donations and ticket purchases made through the
Tickets for Hope program go directly to supporting UHCCF medical
grants for kids. Ticket sales in 2015 generated more than $59,000 for the
Foundation, proving that where you buy your tickets really does matter!
AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support UHCCF
every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com,
you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping
experience as Amazon.com – but with the added bonus that Amazon will
donate a portion of the purchase price to UHCCF.
Click on the link below to begin using AmazonSmile in support of UHCCF.
Remember, if you want Amazon to donate to the charity you’ve selected, you
need to start each shopping session here, which you can bookmark for all
your shopping needs.
Learn more about AmazonSmile
Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSmile and the AmazonSmile logo are trademarks of
Amazon.com Inc. or its affiliates.
Visit UHCCF.org
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Spring 2016 | Volume 2
Wings Of Hope
UHCCF Products
Oliver & Hope® Award-Winning
Storybook Series
Oliver & Hope’s Amusing Adventure (1st in series)
Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under the Stars (2nd in series)
Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday (3rd in series)
Now available in paperback as well as hardcover!
“Little Book – Big Laughs”
Joke Books Boxed Set
Three hilarious books are now available, (jokes, riddles and
knock-knock jokes). These creative comedy collections
will entertain readers with hundreds of funny jokes and riddles.
All three “Little Book – Big Laughs” books feature humor submitted
by kids for kids. Get your boxed set.
Spot it! Game
UHCCF has just released its 2nd custom-designed Spot It! Smile
Edition game, now available Amazon! Not only is this matching
game for ages 7+ fun, exciting and easy to play, but all proceeds
from the sale go to fund future UHCCF medical grants for kids!
Give it as a gift and know that you’re contributing towards a
second gift of a grant to a family in need. Click here to get yours.
Visit UHCCF.org
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