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AHL Hershey Bears

Highmark Caring Foundation and Hershey Bears Team Up

September 21, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


One in 12 Pennsylvania children are uninsured. One out of every 20 children will experience the loss of a parent before they graduate high school. Insurance and grief support programs to assist these children are often as overlooked as the children in need.

The Highmark Caring Foundation, a Highmark Blue Shield affiliate, along with the HERSHEY BEARS, today announced the creation of the Caring Team in central Pennsylvania. The search has now begun for central Pennsylvania schools to join the Caring Team. Activities will formally kick off with a Face-Off luncheon October 19 at GIANT Centersm in Hershey, Pa. BEARS' players will meet with Caring Team students and teachers, and will sign autographs and talk to the students about the Caring Team.

The Caring Team consists of elementary, middle school and high school students who raise funds and community awareness for the needs of grieving and uninsured children. Superintendents, principals, students, teachers and parents work with local businesses and organizations to help meet the needs of uninsured and grieving children in their communities. The Caring Team provides schools with a meaningful and fun way to give back to their communities by raising funds and increasing community awareness for Caring Foundation programs.

"We are excited to team up with the Caring Foundation to help meet the health insurance and grief support needs of children throughout the Midstate, " said Paul Fixter, head coach of the HERSHEY BEARS and Caring Team co-captain." Together we are building partnerships with schools and businesses, which allows us to reach more people and obtain dollar-for-dollar matching funds provided by Highmark."

"The programs of the Caring Foundation clearly demonstrate our commitment to children in need," said Charles LaVallee, executive director, Highmark Caring Foundation. "Children matter to us. Their health and well-being needs to be prioritized and focused on."

The Caring Team in action The Caring Team is about kids helping kids. Nearly 250 schools across western Pennsylvania currently participate in Caring Teams based in Pittsburgh and Erie.

Prizes are awarded to schools for "Total Dollars Raised Per Student." During the last 15 years, Caring Team activities have helped raise more than $4.25 million for children in need, including matching funds from Highmark.

"As a result of student efforts in western Pennsylvania, the Caring Team has played a part in helping more than 230,000 uninsured children receive free or low-cost health care coverage, and offered hope and healing to thousands of additional children and families who grieve the death of a loved one," said LaVallee. "We are pleased to launch the Caring Team in central Pennsylvania so that we can make a difference for those in need."

Schools and students interested in learning more about central Pennsylvania's Caring Team are encouraged to phone the Caring Team coordinator, Suzy Atkins at (717) 302-8403.

Health care coverage available for children The Highmark Caring Foundation is an administrator of Pennsylvania's CHIP program. This nationally recognized program provides free or low-cost health insurance to children under 19 whose families cannot afford health insurance and do not qualify for Medical Assistance.

For a CHIP application, call toll-free 1-866-727-5437, or visit http://www.highmarkcaringfoundation.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2004


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