CVS Caremark Charitable Trust Awards $6.3 Million to Nonprofit Organizations

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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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

About the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE:  CVS).  CVS Caremark is the largest provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the nation.  The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Caremark communities. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at http://investor.cvs.com, or through the Web site's press room at www.cvs.com/pressroom.

SOURCE CVS Caremark Charitable Trust