Today, health-benefits company Humana (NYSE: HUM) announced the three finalists for its 2010 $100,000 Humana Communities Benefit - Houston charitable grant.
“Humana is committed to helping charitable organizations better serve the greater Houston community”
The program gives 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations the opportunity to receive a one-time infusion of $100,000 to create new programs or enhance ongoing activities focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities for Houstonians. The three finalist organizations are Elves & More, HOPE Clinic, and Recipe for Success Foundation.
"Humana is committed to helping charitable organizations better serve the greater Houston community," said Pattie Dale Tye, president of Humana's commercial operations in Houston. "Much like previous winners who helped improve the lives of teens without permanent homes, brought nutritious food to those who can't afford it, and helped law officers protect and locate missing children, the recipient of this year's (sixth annual) Humana Communities Benefit - Houston award is sure to make a positive, lasting impact on our community."
Houston Benefits Finalists Proposals
Elves & More, a nonprofit organization that changes children's lives one bicycle at a time, offers bikes to children who improve their reading scores in school. Elves & More would use the Humana Communities Benefit - Houston grant to expand this program - encouraging more children to improve their minds and bodies through academics and bicycle riding.
HOPE Clinic provides health care to low-income and uninsured residents of greater Houston with sensitivity to patients' cultural backgrounds. Through the Humana Communities Benefit - Houston grant, HOPE Clinic would build a comprehensive and self-sustaining prenatal program targeting the multicultural communities of Southwest Houston. The program would provide women with health care education, maternity care, and access to Medicaid and WIC services.
Recipe for Success Foundation is dedicated to combating childhood obesity and encouraging long-term health in children. The foundation would use the Humana Communities Benefit - Houston grant to improve the health of families in urban "food deserts" by delivering fresh, reasonably priced fruits and vegetables in their new Hope Farms Rolling Green Market. In the first year, Recipe for Success Foundation estimates it would deliver 75,000 pounds of fresh food.
A panel of local judges, comprised of community leaders, public officials and business representatives, will work with Humana to select this year's $100,000 grant winner. Finalists must make a formal presentation before the panel of community-leader judges. The Humana Communities Benefit - Houston winner will be announced at a celebratory dinner Thursday, September 23.
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