A Minute with Matt
Dear Friends,
We are at the midpoint of 2011! So much has happened in these past few months and I am excited to report the following:
- As a result of much hard work on the part of our UHCCF team, we have raised our awareness in many of our markets and have received 962 new applications, a 94% increase over this time last year.
- Correspondingly, we awarded 197 grants worth an estimated $740,000, during the first quarter of 2011. This is an increase of 61% over this time last year. Our average grant is $3,700 which is slightly higher than last year at this time.
- We issued a national press release on Tuesday, April 5, and are following it up with public service announcements across the country. Additionally, our wonderful volunteers, with support from our company, continue to sponsor many fundraising and awareness-raising events throughout our regions.
Once again, I have had the opportunity to meet some of our grant recipients and their families at various events. These encounters always make me proud to be part of UHCCF, as the families describe just how much the medical grants have helped them.
Last month, I was invited to speak to a large group of UnitedHealth Group participants in a leadership development program about the mission and work of UHCCF. One of the audience participants stopped me after the meeting and shared with me the story of her personal journey helping her young son who has autism and other global developmental delays. As we visited, it became even clearer to me the impact we can have when we provide assistance to children with medical needs not covered or only partially covered by their health insurance.
We have accomplished much since our inception in 1999, but we cannot rest. There are many children to help and there is much more to do. We are grateful each day for the many board members, employees and team members who volunteer their time and talents to UHCCF. Thank you!
In this issue of Wings of Hope, we are excited to introduce you to some of our grant recipient children and share some information about UHCCF and our events.
If you would like to learn more about UHCCF and meet more of our children, please visit our website: http://www.uhccf.org
Matt Peterson
UHCCF President
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
From "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost