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Summer 2015 | Volume 2

WINGS OF HOPE

Dear Friends,

Now that we are mid-way through the year, I want to share some recent accomplishments for the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF):

• In 2015 to date, the Foundation has awarded 1,131 grants worth over $2.7 million! In September, we will award our 10,000th grant! This is a major milestone for the Foundation and we’re thrilled to make such a difference in the lives of children and their families.

• This year, our fundraising efforts have expanded in new ways and in new regions from Century Cycling Rides in Healdsburg, CA and Minnetonka, MN, Golf Classics in Norton, MA, Rockland, MD and Chaska, MN, Wine Women & Shoes events in Chicago, IL, Boston, MA, Austin, TX, New Orleans, LA, Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA just to name a few. We are building successful partnerships in these regions and reaching even more families with children in need in the process. Read about the successes of these events, learn how to become a sponsor and mark your calendars for upcoming fundraisers. We always welcome help, so sign up to be a volunteer!

• UnitedHealthcare has set up 60 UHCCF reading stations and donated 1,800 Oliver & HopeTM books. You can read more about this exciting project later in this newsletter.

• After the success of the first “Little Book – Big Laughs” joke book, two new editions will join the 3-book series on World Smile Day, October 2. One is a knock-knock joke book and the other is filled with riddles.

I’m also very excited to introduce you to two of our grant recipients in this issue. They have inspiring stories. Their success and all of our events and projects are only possible because of the many people who help us. We owe a debt of gratitude and extend a huge thank you to all of our national and regional board members, the members of our project teams, our committed employees and many other supporters who volunteer their time and talents to advance the work of UHCCF.

If you have any suggestions, comments or ideas for UHCCF, please share them with us. Thank you for everything that you do.

Matt PetersonUHCCF President

A Minute With Mattpage 1

Tickets for Hope & New York Rooftop page 2

Your Dollars in Actionpage 3

Velo & Vinespage 5

Wine Women & Shoes page 6

Reading Stationspage 7

Productspage 8

Upcoming Eventspage 9

A Minute with Matt

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Pictured left to right:

Louis Destefano – Director of NY Small

Group Sales, Mike Santoro – Senior Vice

President Commercial Claims, Chuck

Cerniglia – Vice President, NY Small Group

Sales, Key Accts and Account Mgmt,

Michael McGuire – Chief Executive Officer

New York Healthplan, Paul Marden –

Healthplan CEO of New Jersey.

Summer 2015 | Volume 2

Catch a Great Event at Tickets for Hope!

UHCCF’s Tickets for Hope program gives you access to event tickets in your area and across the country. Through tix4cause.com you can enjoy the things you love – like singing along at a concert or cheering your favorite sport’s team – all while giving back to UHCCF!

Tickets for Hope recently ran a promotion to encourage UHCCF supporters to register and name UHCCF as their preferred cause on tix4cause.com. Those who registered by May 31st were eligible to win a $375 gift certificate donated by tix4cause.com that can be used for their next ticket purchase.

THE LUCKY REGIONAL WINNERS WERE:Central – Latresha ColesSoutheast – Shawn LyonNortheast – Koren IskraWest – Tasha Joshua

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Tickets for Hope registration drive. You can check out events occurring in your area at Tickets for Hope. Don’t forget to choose UHCCF as your charity of choice! A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to UHCCF to fund future medical grants for kids. Also, if you have a concert or event ticket you can’t use, we encourage you to donate the tickets to UHCCF via tix4cause.com.

Wings of Hope

The New York Rooftop Event Was a Hit! On a bright and beautiful evening on May 7, the UnitedHealthcare Employer &

Individual (E&I) New York Healthplan and supporting segments hosted their first

Rooftop Event at the 54th Floor of New York’s Hyatt Times Square. The sold-out

event had 186 in attendance and sponsorships totaled $86,000. Boomer Esiason,

retired NFL quarterback and current CBS Sports Network commentator, was in

attendance and gave an inspirational speech. We offer thanks to the Chair of the

event Paul Marden, Healthplan CEO of New Jersey and Maria Daniele-Pomponio,

UHCCF Northeast Liaison.

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Summer 2015 | Volume 2

Your Dollars in Action

Wings of Hope

Christian’s Story Two-year-old Christian can spend all day playing outside in the

dirt, riding his power wheel, or just running around exploring.

He loves getting into mischief! Christian was diagnosed with

craniosynostosis, a condition that causes the joints between

the bones of the skull to close prematurely before the brain is

fully formed. UHCCF awarded Christian a grant for cranial vault

surgery to give the brain adequate space to grow and develop.

“I definitely think that without this surgery it wouldn’t have

been long before we started to see signs of decline. Thankfully,

we found doctors who correctly diagnosed Christian, and the

UHCCF grant made it possible for Christian to receive the surgery

he needed,” said Christian’s mom.

Ava’s StoryAva is an eighteen-month-old courageous and adventurous

little girl who enjoys going out on walks and taking nature

hikes with her mom and dad. However, Ava’s true passion is

the slide – she lights up with glee whenever she sees one.

Ava was diagnosed with severe hearing loss and the

UHCCF grant made it possible for her to receive hearing

aids. Ava loves music and since she began using the hearing

aids, she frequently sings nursery rhymes and even the “Let

It Go” song from Disney’s movie “Frozen.” Ava’s mom, Erika,

said, “Thank you so much for the grant. Ava is much more

responsive with the hearing aids and is doing really well.”

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A Smooth Ride at Velo & VinesOn June 13, 28 cyclists, supporters and sponsors from across the nation met at the Arnot-Roberts Winery to join in a 100-mile or metric ride along the rolling hills and valleys of Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River for the inaugural Velo & Vines Century Ride in Healdsburg, CA. The ride, hosted by Three Rivers Provider Network and sponsored by Arnot-Roberts Winery, raised approximately $45,000 to fund future UHCCF medical grants for children.

At each rest stop along the route, riders experienced some of the best artisan foods and local music in Sonoma County. The cycling tour ended with a post-ride awards ceremony and marketplace featuring local vendors, wine tastings, a silent auction and live music by The Easy Leaves. Healdsburg resident, event host and UHCCF Board Member Jennifer Roberts was joined by notables such as UnitedHealthcare ProCycling Team member Lucas Euser. Lucas helped make the day a genuine treat for cycling enthusiasts and race fans. We look forward to another stunning event next year. Please save the date for June 11, 2016! To view the video of this year’s event, click here.

Summer 2015 | Volume 2Wings of Hope

Cyclist Pip Bond high-fives a volunteer prior to the

start of the inaugural Velo & Vines Century Ride in

Healdsburg, CA. (Photo credit: Amy Sullivan)

Jennifer Roberts meets with UnitedHealthcare

ProCycling Team member Lucas Euser. Also

featured in the picture is Matt Peterson, President,

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation and

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team member

John Murphy. (Photo credit: Amy Sullivan)

Participants and supporters from across

the nation start their 100-mile journey.

(Photo credit: Amy Sullivan)

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Wine Women & Shoes Chicago Was Stunning

The UHCCF held its inaugural Wine Women & Shoes

(WW&S) event May 1 at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago, IL.

Attended by more than 270 guests, this event was the

first of five fashion-focused fundraising events UHCCF

has planned for this year. The event featured wine tastings,

live and silent auctions, a fashion and gift marketplace

and a dinner program that included a fashion show.

Peach Carr from Project Runway attended, adding many

beautiful pieces to the fashion show. With Wendy Lambert

as the auctioneer and Zoraida Sambolin as emcee, energy

was high and everyone had a fantastic time.

A big thanks goes out to grant recipient Jayden and his

family for coming to the event to tell his story. Jayden

was the star of the night, melting everyone’s heart with

his smile. The Chicago event raised nearly $100,000 for

the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. Thank you to

our generous sponsors, employees and all our guests for

making it possible.

Check out our events page for a list of WW&S events

coming near you.

Summer 2015 | Volume 2Wings of Hope

Grant Recipient, Jayden with Auctioneer, Wendy Lambert.

Emcee Zoradia Sambolin. Matt Peterson, UHCCF President (left), Jill Foucre (center) and Gayle Woodis,UHCCF Executive Director (right).

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UHCCF Reading Stations in San Diego & Sacramento, CA

This summer, several San Diego and Sacramento area health clinics and pediatrician offices received reading stations and children’s books to help make the visit to the doctor’s office a little brighter. UnitedHealthcare donated 60 UHCCF reading stations, 1,800 Oliver & Hope™ children’s books and 4,000 activity worksheets as part of a San Diego and Sacramento summer reading initiative. Throughout the summer, UnitedHealthcare employees led reading circle events and delivered the reading stations to various community-based organizations and health care facilities.

Each reading station includes a kid-sized table and chairs and copies of books from the award-winning Oliver & Hope™ series. The cleverly written and beautifully illustrated stories teach subtle lessons about the power of friendship, resiliency and imagination. Fun Oliver & Hope™ activities are also offered, including coloring pages, mazes and more.

Summer 2015 | Volume 2Wings of Hope

Marne Foster, Board President of San Diego Unified

School District is joined by UnitedHealthcare

mascot Dr. Health E. Hound as she reads from the

popular Oliver & Hope children’s storybook at the

opening celebration for the new Family Health

Center at Ibarra Elementary School.

Kids give a high-five to UnitedHealthcare mascot

Dr. Health E. Hound during the grand opening of the

Ibarra Health Center.

Reading stations that will be placed in patient waiting

rooms in health clinics throughout San Diego.

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More Books and Plush Characters Coming Soon!

New Jokebooks!Two books titled “Little Book – Big Laughs Knock-Knock Book” and “Little Book – Big Laughs Riddle Book” will be released on World Smile Day, October 2, 2015. They will be available on UHCCF.org and Amazon.com along with the first book in the series, “Little Book – Big Laughs Joke Book.”

Summer 2015 | Volume 2Wings of Hope

Hugo PlushI’m Hugo the dragon and I may breathe fire, but I’m really just here to spark your imagination. Look for me on UHCCF.org and Amazon.com September 1, 2015.

Charlotte PlushHi! I’m Charlotte the fox and I’ll be available September 1, 2015 on UHCCF.org and Amazon.com. I love to find clever solutions to any challenge.

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Upcoming 2015 Events

Summer 2015 | Volume 2Wings of Hope

There May Be a Fundraiser Coming to a Location Near You!All of UHCCF’s accomplishments are possible because of the people who help

us. UHCCF owes a debt of gratitude to our committed employees and many

friends who volunteer their time and talents to advance the UHCCF mission.

Several events are already on the calendar — and many more are currently

in the planning process. New this year, the Foundation is partnering with the

Wine Women & Shoes fundraisers and upcoming events will be held in Boston,

Austin, Minneapolis and New Orleans. If you would like to attend or volunteer

for upcoming events, please contact Scott Otto for additional information.

AUGUST 28 Wine Women & Shoes Boston, MA

SEPTEMBER 19 Teddy Bear Run, Las Vegas, NV

SEPTEMBER 25 Wine Women & Shoes Austin, TX

SEPTEMBER 28 Golf Classic at Lake of Isles, North Stonington, CT

OCTOBER 5 2015 Annual UHCCF Golf Classic, Rockville, MD

OCTOBER 5 2015 Annual UHCCF Golf Classic, TPC Boston in Norton, MA

OCTOBER 9 Wine Women & Shoes Minneapolis, MN

OCTOBER 12 Golf Classic at Dancing Rabbit Golf Course, Choctaw, MS

OCTOBER 30 Wine Women & Shoes New Orleans, LA

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