(Press Release) WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan 14, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust announced today that it awarded $6.3 million to nonprofit organizations across the country in grants in 2009. These grants align with CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a signature program focusing on children with disabilities, as well as provide support for medical services for the uninsured, grants to pharmacy schools, scholarships for the children of CVS Caremark colleagues and funding for community organizations for which CVS Caremark colleagues act as volunteers.
Today, during a special nationwide “Day of Giving,” company representatives — ranging from regional managers to corporate employees — visited nonprofits in seven states, from Arizona to Rhode Island, to personally present these organizations with their grant checks. These grant recipients were chosen through the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust’s annual grant application process.
“We hope these much needed grants will enable these organizations to start the New Year off with renewed energy,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, Vice President, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. “The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is proud to partner with them to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families and to promote health and wellness to those who need it most.”
Women of Means, a nonprofit organization that provides free health care for women and children in Massachusetts homeless shelters, received a grant from CVS Caremark during a site visit today.
“When the economy fell apart, thousands of people lost their homes, and we saw increased demand for free health care in area shelters. Yet with a 40 percent drop in foundation and donor support, we had to cut back to a bare bones budget,” said Dr. Roseanna Means, Founder, Women of Means. “This grant from CVS Caremark will allow us to continue giving thousands of women and children displaced by poverty and homelessness the ‘means’ to move forward in their lives — to achieve better health, to experience improved self esteem, to feel hope and self-respect.”
Additional nonprofits that received a surprise visit and grant check during today’s Day of Giving included:
Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in Phoenix, AZ
La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL
Linda Creed Epstein Foundation in Philadelphia, PA
The Woonsocket, RI Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
Pregnancy Center and Clinic of Low Country, Inc. in Hilton Head, SC
Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center in Nashville, TN
Other grant recipients included the Los Angeles-based Junior Blind of America, which helps children and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled achieve independence. The organization will use the grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust for their afterschool program that uses physical activity to teach children about teamwork and independence.
“In our community, and in communities across the nation, children with disabilities have too few opportunities for inclusion and play,” said Miki Jordan, president and CEO of Junior Blind of America. “Junior Blind of America is grateful to CVS Caremark for recognizing this need and helping our blind, visually impaired and multi-disabled students lead healthier and happier lives through the support of this CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grant.”
The complete list of nonprofit organizations awarded CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grants during today’s Day of Giving include:
Alabama
Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Special Equestrians
Arizona
Banner Health Foundation
Keogh Health Foundation
Southwest Autism Research And Resource Center
University of Arizona Foundation
California
AltaMed Health Services Corporation
City Help
Community Partners – Circle of Friends
Hospice by the Bay
Junior Blind of America
Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International
Pediatric Therapy Network
Special Equestrian Riding Therapy
Colorado
Dental Aid
Connecticut
The Kennedy Center
District of Columbia
Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
Kids Enjoy Exercise Now
MedStar – Georgetown Medical Center
United Cerebral Palsy Associations
Florida
Best Buddies International
Chairscholars Foundation
Island Dolphin Care
New Horizons Service Dogs
St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Volunteer USA Foundation
Georgia
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Hawaii
Waimanalo Health Center
Illinois
Chicago Children’s Museum
Keshet
La Rabida Children’s Hospital
Music Institute of Chicago
Special Olympics Illinois
Indiana
Depaul Reading and Learning Association
Evansville Association for the Blind
Goodwill BridgePointe Services
Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults
Kansas
Kansas University Endowment Association
Louisiana
Greater New Orleans Miracle League
Northwest Louisiana Interfaith Pharmacy
Maryland
Special Olympics Maryland
Massachusetts
Boston Medical Center Corporation
Catholic School Foundation
Piers Park Sailing Center
Whittier Street Health Center Committee
Women of Means
YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts
Michigan
Childrens Hospital of Michigan
Minnesota
Wilderness Inquiry
New Jersey
ARC of New Jersey
Rutgers the State University
Visiting Homemaker Service of Passaic County
Women’s Health and Counseling Center
New York
Advocates for Children of New York
Foundation for Educating Children with Autism
ICD-International Center for the Disabled
Marquis Studios Ltd.
QSAC
Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children
Theatre Development Fund
North Carolina
Bubel Aiken Foundation
Community Health Services of Union County
Free Rein
Mountain Area Health Education Center
Presbyterian Hospital Foundation
Special Olympics North Carolina
The Triangle New School Foundation
North Dakota
Dakota Boys Ranch Association
Ohio
Christian Community Health Services
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Healthcare 2000 Community Clinic
Metrohealth Foundation
Pennsylvania
Children’s Hospital Foundation
Linda Creed Epstein Foundation
Misericordia University
Rhode Island
Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence
Children’s Friend and Service
Day One
IN-SIGHT for the Blind
March of Dimes Foundation
Woonsocket Headstart Child Development Association
The Woonsocket R.I. Young Men’s Christian Association
South Carolina
Pregnancy Center and Clinic of Low Country, Inc.
Tennessee
Association for Guidance Aid Placement & Empathy
Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center
Texas
Arlington I S D Education Foundation
Brighton School
Cook Children’s Medical Center
Houston Ear Research Foundation
Virginia
Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater Richmond
West Virginia
Children’s Therapy Clinic
Wisconsin
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County
The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust will be accepting applications for 2010 grants from May 1 to June 15, 2010. For additional information, visit:http://info.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/charitable-trust/featured-recipients