-- Employee volunteers to help organize a Connecticut cycling
event on September 27 in support of the Ashford-based camp for seriously
ill children, and more rides in 2010 --
Aetna (NYSE: AET)
today announced a $50,000 grant in support of Team Hole in the Wall, a
program of the Ashford, Connecticut-based Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
founded in 1988 by Paul Newman. The funding will be used to support the
health and human resource needs of children coping with cancer or other
serious illnesses and conditions served by the organization’s year-round
programs and outreach.
The grant builds capacity of the five Hole in the Wall Camps in America,
as well as engages their communities through charity bike rides
developed by Team Hole in the Wall. The rides are modeled after the
successful AngelRide, a Connecticut-based event that raises funds and
awareness of the Camp’s mission.
“Thanks to the visionary leadership of Aetna, more children and families
coping with the isolating effects of serious illness can experience the
healing impact of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” said James Canton,
Chief Executive Officer of The Connecticut camp. “Through Team Hole in
the Wall and the creation of these regional cycling events, thousands of
health-minded biking participants will make a difference in the lives of
children with serious illness in their communities.”
As part of the initiative, Aetna’s Employee Volunteer Councils will help
to develop and manage regional Team Hole in the Wall Camp Challenge
Rides that support Hole in the Wall Camps. The first Challenge Ride will
take place on September 27, 2009 in Connecticut, followed by Challenge
Rides in 2010 in California, New York, Florida, and North Carolina. For
more information about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, or to support the
September 27 Connecticut Camp Challenge Ride, please visit www.teamholeinthewall.org/campchallengeride
“Aetna is proud to support the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” said Floyd
Green, head of Community Relations for Aetna. “This relationship will
help bring additional resources to children in need and increase our own
employee volunteer efforts for those who are committed to giving back to
their local communities.”
About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in
Ashford, Connecticut is a nonprofit, residential summer camp and
year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer
and other serious illnesses and conditions. Through its Camp programs,
year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics, and ongoing services for
children, families and caregivers, the Camp serves more than 15,000
annually. All of its services are provided free of charge. Fore more
information, see www.holeinthewallgang.org.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits
companies, serving approximately 36.8 million people with information
and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their
health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and
consumer-directed health insurance products and related services,
including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and
disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care
management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer
groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers,
health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor
groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.
Aetna
Media Contact:
Ethan Slavin, 860-273-6095
SlavinE@aetna.com
or
Media
Contact:
J. Michael Smiles, 203-772-0522
Mike.smiles@holeinthewallgang.org
