Local Child Protective Services kids get school supply boost from KENS 5, Generations Federal Credit Union and Corner Store

generations fcu logokens5com-logo-310Generations Federal Credit Union and Corner Store will partner with CBS affiliate KENS 5 to collect school supplies for the approximately 7,000 Bexar County children who are under the care of Child Protective Services.

Individuals are encouraged to participate by bringing supplies to the KENS 5 studios during the week of August 4 through August 8, donating online at http://info.mygenfcu.org/bills-elves or dropping off supplies at any of the 14 Generations Federal Credit Union branches between July 23 and August 9.  The school supplies will be delivered to the CPS offices during the week of August 11 and case workers will distribute the collected supplies to the children.  Individuals who donate will receive a coupon for a free Kolache and a cup of Cibolo Mountain premium coffee from Corner Store.

“This school supply drive is a win-win for everyone involved.  It enables Generations to make a tangible difference in our community and it provides these students with the supplies they need to be successful during the school year.  Additionally, the families who take in these children receive little to no financial assistance from the State, so it provides us with the opportunity to help them out as they step up to the plate to help these kids,” said Generations FCU CEO, Steve Schipull.

Hosted by KENS 5 Chief Meteorologist, Bill Taylor, the bi-annual event collects school supplies in August and Christmas toys in December.  The KENS 5 studios are located at 5400 Fredericksburg Road and volunteers will be out in front of the studios at the 4, 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts during the week of August 4 through August 8.

“San Antonio has always been a community that comes together to take care of our own.  The Bill’s Elves initiative has been very successful year after year and we look forward to exceeding our goals and making a difference in the lives of these great kids,” concluded Schipull.

About Generations Federal Credit Union
For nearly 75 years, Generations Federal Credit Union has been an advocate of financial growth and development within the community, offering award-winning financial education classes, as well as products and services that truly make a difference.  Generations strives to be a trusted advisor, offering personal attention that provides members with the financial skills they need to be successful.  Their tailored approach to banking enables them to deliver personalized service for both businesses and consumers.

 

Humana Foundation relaunches philanthropic program, increasing grant amount for nonprofits in Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio

Humana green logoHumana Inc. and the Humana Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, announced a relaunch of their signature Humana Communities Benefit program, which will now award multi-year grants totaling $350,000 to an eligible nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in each of three areas: Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio. Organizations focused on promoting healthy behaviors and healthy relationships will be considered.

Also new to this year’s charitable giving program is the launch of an online community vote as part of the judging process, which will take place at the finalist stage.

The new structure of the Humana Communities Benefit program will award nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations a three-year infusion of funds, enabling the winning nonprofits to receive $200,000 the first year; $100,000 the second year; and $50,000 in the final year. Winners will use the Humana Foundation grant to create new programs or enhance ongoing activities that have a positive, transformational impact on the organization and the community.

“This new approach with Humana Communities Benefit is a natural evolution for the program as Humana and the Humana Foundation work to improve the health of the communities we serve nationwide,” said Humana President and CEO Bruce Broussard, who announced the new program today at a news conference in St. Petersburg, Fla. “We have added several new features to the program, including the online vote, which provides an opportunity for each community to have a stake in which organization in each region is awarded our $350,000 grant.”

The three areas for the charitable giving program’s new approach this spring are Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio.

“As we ushered in the renewal of Humana Communities Benefit, it was important for us to select communities where Humana has deep roots,” said Virginia Kelly Judd, Executive Director of the Humana Foundation. “We are excited to host this new phase of our charitable grant program in Tampa Bay, where Humana has its largest associate population (more than 3,500 Humana associates) outside of our corporate hometown, Louisville, Ky.; Chicago, where we started Humana Communities Benefit in 2003; and San Antonio, a new location for the program but a city where Humana has had a presence for more than three decades.”

The Humana Foundation charitable program has awarded more than $8 million to nonprofits in 11 communities nationwide since launching in Chicago in 2003. Previously, Humana Communities Benefit annually awarded one-time, $100,000 charitable grants to nonprofits.

“Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is so excited to break ground on the Humana Educational Pavilion at the Florida Learning Garden in Tampa thanks to the 2013 Humana Communities Benefit grant,” said Debbie Evenson, Executive Director of Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. “The Pavilion will provide an opportunity for children to learn about growing techniques and sustainable practices in a hands-on, educational environment that encourages healthy eating and healthy behaviors.”

Call for Entries
Organizations in Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Antonio focused on promoting healthy behaviors and healthy relationships will be considered. Eligible nonprofit organizations in the following counties may submit their applications on humana.com/hcb, starting today until June 30:

  • Humana Communities Benefit in Tampa Bay – Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties
  • Humana Communities Benefit in Chicago – Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Lake and McHenry counties
  • Humana Communities Benefit in San Antonio – Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties

The timeline for the program is as follows:

  • Applications accepted: April 28 – June 30
  • Judging: August
  • Grant Recipients Named: September

New Program Features
The Humana Communities Benefit program will also launch a host of new features designed to educate nonprofits on the application process; connect former and prospective grant winners; and show communities locally and nationwide some of the work being done by nonprofit organizations. The new features include:

  • HCB Mentors. Prospective organizations can visit the mentor page (http://www.humana.com/hcbmentor) to connect with former Humana Communities Benefit grant winners regarding their experience with the process of applying for the grant.
  • E-Newsletter. The semi-annual digital newsletter will highlight news about the Humana Communities Benefit program, advice and tips from previous winners and success stories.
  • Online Community Vote.  The community will have an opportunity to weigh in on which organization in each community it feels is most deserving of the Humana Communities Benefit grant.  Voting will be based upon a video and short narrative submitted by three finalists in each city and will take place online.

About The Humana Foundation
The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., one of the nation’s leading health care companies. Located in Louisville, Ky., the site of Humana’s corporate headquarters, the Foundation focuses on promoting healthy behaviors and healthy relationships. The Foundation’s key funding priorities are childhood health, intergenerational health, and active lifestyles. For more information, visit www.humanafoundation.org.

Humana and the Humana Foundation are dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our goal is to ensure that every business decision we make reflects our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our members, our associates, the communities we serve and our planet.

About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at www.humana.com.

 

TMI Panther Scramble tournament aids student athletes

TMI_logo_20yrsThe annual Panther Scramble golf tournament of TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, held April 4 at the Resort Course at La Cantera, netted more than $39,000 to benefit the school’s athletic programs, an increase beyond last year’s total.

Increased participation at a new venue, new and returning sponsors as well as a silent auction and hole contests helped raise interest as well as proceeds. An added feature this year was entertainment by REMAX World Long Drive Finalist Kody Zurek, sponsored by Charity Golf International.

TMI_pantherscrambleFirst place gross score foursome (pictured above), who won golf for four at Oak Hills Country Club, comprised Chris Kahanek, Eddie Ramon, Julian Solis and TMI senior Cole Solis, who has won three high-school tournaments so far this season. First place net score foursome, for golf for four at Fair Oaks Ranch Country Club, was made up of Jon Beitz, Rob Devlin, Clay Michel, and Doug Monaghen, TMI parent Mike Holmes won the men’s longest drive contest, and TMI Athletic Director Becky Geyer won the women’s contest.

Tournament proceeds will make it possible for the Athletic Department to purchase equipment for a new pole-vaulting program, a softball pitching machine, strength and conditioning equipment and other new or upgraded items.

“On behalf of the Athletic Department, we would like to thank all who supported Panther Scramble,” said Geyer. “Impacting the lives of our student athletes is truly a blessing.”

Panther Scramble 2014 sponsors included Frost Bank, Norton Rose Fulbright, Batchelor Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz of Boerne.

TMI offers 12 sports at both the Middle and Upper School levels, plus cheerleading in Upper School.

About TMI
Throughout the 2013-2014 school year, TMI is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding in 1893. The flagship school of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, TMI is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, with optional Junior ROTC and boarding programs. For information, visit www.tmi-sa.org or call 698-7171.

SSFCU donates to two San Antonio Nonprofits serving women and seniors

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Charitable Foundation recently presented San Antonio’s Southwest Outreach for Older People (SWOOP) with a grant of $5,000 and the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of Bexar County with a grant of $10,000.

SWOOP serves seniors in southwest San Antonio as a free transportation service that helps them get to doctors, pharmacies, banks and grocery stores. It’s a door-through-door service in safe, private vehicles for seniors who have no friends or family to rely on. SWOOP currently serves 230 seniors in just its second year of operation, and the grant funds will be used to support its volunteer program, including mileage reimbursement and training for this dynamic program.

SWOOP_SSFCUFrom left: Eileen Mares, SWOOP treasurer/secretary and SSFCU branch manager; Joan Fisher, SWOOP executive director; Dottye Williams, Ph.D., SWOOP president, and Jim Laffoon: SSFCU President and CEO

The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter is the only shelter in Bexar County for abused women and children. In recent months, the shelter has reached nearly 200 people a month – turning no one away. The grant will be used to provide victims of family violence a place of safety and help transitioning to self-sufficiency.

BatteredWomen's Shelter_SSFCUFrom left:  Mark Jimenez,  SSFCU assistant vice president of network engineering  and support, Marta Pelaez, president and CEO of the Battered Women’s Shelter, and Jim Laffoon, SSFCU president and CEO. 

“It is our great joy and honor to be able to help organizations like SWOOP and the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter that are grounded in building a better future for the most vulnerable in our community, providing important systems and supports to make life easier,” said Jim Laffoon, president of the Security Service Charitable Foundation and president and chief executive officer for Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU).

The Security Service Charitable Foundation helps further SSFCU’s corporate goal of community service by contributing to deserving organizations and causes in the credit union’s market areas.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.5 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

$9 million raised at 2014 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children

180x150-ValeroEach year, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children raise millions of dollars to be distributed to hundreds of children’s charities across the country.

In late March, Valero President Joe Gorder announced that the 2014 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children raised a combined $9 million for children’s charities. The amount was announced during Gorder’s live interview with NBC Sports during tournament coverage. It puts the Valero Texas Open closer to its “Drive to $100 Million” milestone. Since its title sponsorship began in 2002, Valero has helped raise a total of $90.5 million.

“For us, this is what the tournament is all about,” Gorder said. “It’s about the hundreds of children’s charities that benefit from our efforts, and the constant support of our spectators and sponsors.”

_C5R0028T_VTOThe tournament also crowned a new champion: Steven Bowditch of Australia, earning his first PGA Tour victory and a trip to the prestigious Masters tourney.

Bowditch, who chipped in on his first two holes in Saturday’s round en route to a three-shot lead coming into Sunday, finished at 8-under par 280, in holding off Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays by one stroke. Matt Kuchar, a crowd favorite and the 11th-ranked player in the world, finished two shots back at 6-under par, and Tour stars Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson were three shots off the pace.

Besides helping Valero close in on the $100 million milestone, the $9 million raised by this year’s Valero Texas Open puts the tournament among the top charitable fundraisers on the PGA TOUR. Valero’s title sponsorship of the tournament runs through 2018, giving the Valero Texas Open the potential to continue raising many more millions of dollars for children’s charities.

“We aren’t going to stop at $100 million,” Gorder said. “It’s just a milestone.”

This is the second year that Greg Norman Production Company, a subsidiary of Great White Shark Enterprises, has overseen management of the Valero Texas Open.

“We are very proud of the success of this year’s Valero Texas Open,” said the tournament’s Executive Director, Larson Segerdahl. “This long-standing event is on the rise thanks to the support of Valero, our many corporate partners, the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time, talent and energy to this endeavor, and of course the entire San Antonio community for supporting this great San Antonio tradition.”