Aetna Awarded $500,000 to Houston Nonprofits in 2008
|
HOUSTON, Texas, February 05, 2009 — Aetna (NYSE: AET ) and the Aetna Foundation in 2008 awarded community grants and sponsorships totaling $500,000, with a particular focus on improving the lives of the underserved. The contributions support Aetna's commitment to enhancing the quality of health care, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities. In total, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation awarded more than $25 million in 2008. Among the community grants recipients were:
Twenty-five other organizations also received grants and-or sponsorships including 100 Black Men-Houston; American Diabetes Association; American Lung Association; Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.; Communities In Schools-Houston; Girls Inc.; Harris County Hospital District; Houston Area Urban League; Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; Houston Marathon Committee; Klein Independent School District; Lamar Educational Awards Foundation; McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; National Hispanic Professional Organization; North Houston Frontiers Club; Positive Image Productions, Inc.; Precinct2gether,Inc.;St. Joseph Hospital Foundation; Texas Diversity Council; The Methodist Hospital; The University of Texas Health and Science Center at Houston; Wheeler Avenue Inner City Visions; and Windsor Village United Methodist Church. "Aetna is proud to support organizations in Houston which are making great strides in addressing health care issues that impact our communities," said Jeff Bernhard, market head for Aetna in Houston. "We share their commitment in improving the health and quality of life for those who may have difficulty in obtaining information and access to the health care system." The Aetna Foundation awarded $50,000 to Texas Women's University to retain eight doctorally-prepared faculty who were hired in 2007 to work with undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students for an additional year. The Houston affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation received $30,000 for sponsorship of the 2008 Race for the Cure in Houston. The annual race raises awareness about breast cancer. Under a $25,000 grant, the YMCA of Greater Houston-Fort Bend Center worked with the Stafford Independent School District to provide an after-school nutrition and exercise program for children. The Aetna Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Neighborhood Centers, Inc. for two programs. A portion of the grant was used for the Activity Centers for Seniors (ACES) program, a collaborative physical activity program designed for older adults that was held at 15 community centers in Houston. Another portion of the grant supported the five annual health fairs that were held for families at the beginning of the school year. Gateway to Care received a $25,000 grant for their Diabetes Navigation program. The bilingual program works with the Good Neighborhood Health Care Center to improve health outcomes for the elderly and people who are at high-risk for diabetes. About the Aetna Foundation The Foundation's giving is focused on health, diversity and employee community involvement, with broader programs in our home state of Connecticut. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $334 million in grants, sponsorships and social investments. In 2007, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation contributed $24.5 million nationally. Additional information on the Aetna Foundation is available at www.aetna.com/foundation.
|
FEEDBACK
