United Concordia and Highmark Inc. Make Donation to Support Military Families

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- United Concordia® Companies, Inc., administrator of the Department of Defense's TRICARE Dental Program and TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program, along with its parent company, Highmark Inc., announced today they have contributed $200,000 to the National Military Family Association to support its Operation Purple® program.

Operation Purple camps provide a week of summer fun for military kids whose parents have been, are currently, or will be deployed. Each year camps are held at multiple locations across the United States. Military children from all branches of service spend the week together to experience fun and adventure while developing healthy relationships and learning coping skills.

"United Concordia is delighted to expand on our existing relationship with the National Military Family Association and contribute to the Operation Purple program," says F.G. "Chip" Merkel, United Concordia president and chief operating officer. "We chose to support this program because of the importance these camps play in the lives of military children, giving them the opportunity to have fun and make friends while realizing that they are not alone in their situation. United Concordia and Highmark are very pleased to be able to make this contribution not only to the Association, but to help these military children persevere and grow during a challenging time."

"Thousands of military kids have benefitted from attending one of our free Operation Purple summer camps that teach kids to better cope with the stress of having their mom or dad deployed," says Mary Scott, National Military Family Association chairman of the board. "Highmark and United Concordia truly recognize that 'kids serve too.' With this gift, they have guaranteed that we will be able to continue the program in 2011."

Since the Association implemented the Operation Purple program in 2004, nearly 40,000 military children and teens who have a deployed parent have attended the camps. The Operation Purple program also provides family retreats at national parks and camps to help children and families of the nation's wounded service members.

SOURCE United Concordia Dental