Aetna Helps Raise More Than $1.1 Million for Hole in the Wall Camps

Fueled by $560,000 in capacity building grants from Aetna, Hole in the Wall Camps have raised more than $1.1 million in new revenue over the past three years. Founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, Hole in the Wall Camps serve more than 40,000 children and family members annually coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and other serious illnesses by enabling them to enjoy empowering, recreational, camp experiences entirely free of charge.

One of the most critical fundraising events supporting Hole in the Wall Camps is the Camp Challenge Ride Series which expanded into more communities this year thanks to Aetna’s (NYSE: AET) contributions. This year, the Camp Challenge Rides took place in September and raised a hefty $540,000.

"Team Hole in the Wall is deeply grateful for these visionary grants from Aetna. These grants are building the capacity of the Camp Challenge Ride Series and ultimately enable more seriously ill children to attend a Hole in the Wall Camp than ever before,” said James H. Canton, chief executive officer for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

In addition to supporting the health and human resource needs of the campers, Aetna’s grant helped to support the expansion of the Camp Challenge Rides. This year, rides will be hosted at the following Hole in the Wall Camps:

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut;
The Painted Turtle in California;
Double H Ranch in New York;
Camp Boggy Creek in Florida; and
Victory Junction in North Carolina.

This expansion follows two years of regional event replication made possible by Aetna’s support. Every dollar raised helps send children to a Hole in the Wall Camp near them for a joyful experience, complete with round-the-clock medical care.

“We have built a strong relationship with The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and sister camps and look forward to working with them again in the future,” said Floyd W. Green III, vice president and head of Aetna Community Relations and Urban Marketing. “Aetna funds have enabled The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp to expand from one Camp Challenge Ride in Connecticut in 2009 to five rides across the nation in 2011. We are thrilled to know that our involvement and commitment over the past three years has helped raise more than $1.1 million in new funds for the camps.”

Each ride provided participants and volunteers a chance to connect with the camp’s mission through course offerings ranging from 15 to 62 miles, camp tours and a family-style picnic celebration.

Aetna Volunteer Councils – regional teams of devoted Aetna volunteers – are also actively engaged in the Camp Challenge Rides. This year, more than 140 Aetna cyclists and volunteers showed their support. Aetna volunteers continue to support Hole in the Wall Camps through their contributions during volunteer days, Team Hole in the Wall marathon events, crafting no-sew blankets for campers and supporting the overall needs of the camps.

For more information or to support a Camp Challenge Ride, please visit www.teamholeinthewall.org.

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut is a nonprofit, residential summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions. Through onsite camp programs, year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics, and ongoing services for children, families and caregivers, the Camp serves more than 17,500 children annually. All of its services are provided free of charge. For more information, see www.holeinthewallgang.org.

About The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps

Founded by Paul Newman, the Association is a growing global network of innovative camps and programs that provide life-changing support for children with serious illnesses and their families. Currently, the Association consists of 28 initiatives worldwide, including 14 camps, 10 Global Partnerships, and 4 camps in development. In 2010, more than 47,800 people were served by these programs. Since 1988, over 337,500 people have been served, including more than 152,000 children from 50 countries. The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps is an independent not-for-profit organization dependent on the generosity of private donors to serve all children free of charge. Learn more at www.holeinthewallcamps.org.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.

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