Leading financial services firm reaffirms commitment to continue
promoting, supporting the abilities of people with disabilities
Continuing its long-term commitment of promoting and supporting the
abilities of individuals with physical disabilities, The Hartford
Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) announced today it is
extending its sponsorship of U.S. Paralympics, the division of the U.S.
Olympic Committee (USOC) dedicated to recruiting and training elite
athletes with physical disabilities.
The Hartford's ground-breaking alliance with U.S. Paralympics, which
began five years ago, now extends through the 2012 Paralympic Games in
London. In 2003, The Hartford became the first company to forge a
multi-year agreement exclusively with the Paralympics, resulting in the
most significant corporate commitment to the Paralympics in U.S. history.
"Our partnership with U.S. Paralympics in 2003 established The Hartford
as a true ‘Ability' company, and the first – and only – disability
carrier to pledge support to U.S. Paralympics and its 800 athletes,"
said Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of The Hartford's Group
Benefits Division. "We are proud to continue our strong partnership and
together continue to change people's lives."
"The Hartford has been a consistent leader in the Paralympic and
disability movement," said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC.
"The company's continued support reinforces its commitment to assist
future generations of Paralympic athletes in pursuing their dreams,
while also ensuring persons with physical disabilities have enhanced
opportunities to achieve success in life."
The partnership between the elite athletic organization and the leading
U.S. group disability insurance seller is a natural fit. "U.S.
Paralympic athletes embody our Ability Philosophy – our conviction that
success is possible by focusing on abilities instead of physical
limitations," Gendreau said. "As active, productive members of society
and the U.S. workforce, they are powerful, positive role models for our
disability claimants."
"We're so pleased to renew our strong involvement with such a worthy
cause," said Connie Weaver, senior vice president and chief marketing
officer of The Hartford. "Closely tying our corporate citizenship goals
and philanthropy activities with our business initiatives is an
important strategy for our organization.