A Minute with Matt
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on 2009, we have had many wonderful firsts.
- Our UnitedHealth Group employees pledged more than $1 million to UHCCF in a record-breaking charitable giving campaign. The amount is matched dollar for dollar by UnitedHealth Group.
- We held an employee art competition and produced both UHCCF holiday cards and note cards (that we sold out of by the first of November!)
- We had more than eighty employees join our UHCCF volunteer corps to help us promote UHCCF both internally and externally.
- We completed our first full year as a member of America's Charities.
- We expanded the UHCCF item selection in our online store.
- We established an external grant application program to help us find new fund-raising avenues.
- Our national press release, followed up with radio public service announcements, had almost 800 airings throughout the country.
- We sponsored more than 20 awareness and fundraising events, including golf tournaments, bowling, and marathons.
- We completed outreach efforts to pediatricians, children’s advocacy organizations and children's hospitals.
In addition, we provided grants to 451 children valued at $1.48 million, with an average grant of nearly $3,300. You will meet and learn more about some of these very thankful grant recipients later in this newsletter.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of the many special employees, board members and friends who volunteer their time and talents to UHCCF. To those many people who unselfishly and tirelessly give of themselves--asking for nothing in return--we express our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation.
We are not the only ones who are grateful. Click on the link below and read a thank-you note from the mother of one of our children. Joshua is a five-year-old who has severe language impairment and behavioral issues associated with autism. We provided a $5,000 grant to help with his therapy.
As we enter the New Year, we are motivated by the continuous generosity of our employees and donors. I know 2010 will be an exciting year.
Matt Peterson,
UHCCF President
"The noblest question in the world is what good may I do in it?"
-Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737