CVS Caremark awards grant to help support Special Olympics expansion

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has awarded a $50,000 grant to Special Olympics to help expand the organization's Healthy Young Athletes program, which provides healthcare services and support, early childhood intervention and preventive education to children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 years to 7 years old, the pharmacy retailer has announced.

 

Funding for the program was provided through the CVS Caremark All Kids Can program, which supports organizations that are helping all children on their path to better health. The funding will help Special Olympics expand Healthy Young Athletes into new geographies, doubling the number of Healthy Young Athletes events in the United States in 2013-2014.



"We are proud to support the expansion of Special Olympics' Healthy Young Athletes program and to provide more children with access to important healthcare screenings that can help them on their path to better health," stated Eileen Howard Boone, SVP corporate philanthropy and social responsibility at CVS Caremark and the president of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. "As we strive to build healthier communities, Special Olympics and CVS Caremark share a commitment to help improve the quality of life for children of all abilities and help them to be the best that they can be."



The funding from CVS Caremark All Kids Can will also support the development of a toolkit of resources that will be distributed to all Special Olympics programs. Additionally, new protocols for two health disciplines — FUNfitness (physical therapy) and Health Promotion (nutrition, sun safety) — will be added to the existing protocols in Healthy Young Athletes: Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes (vision), Healthy Hearing (audiology) and Special Smiles (dental) disciplines.



Healthy Young Athletes events will take place throughout the country, including in Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Wisconsin.



CVS Caremark All Kids Can supports organizations that increase access to specialized medical and rehabilitation services and provide inclusive opportunities for physical activity, play and social enrichment. To date, All Kids Can has committed more than $60 million in support of nonprofit organizations that provide innovative programs and services focused on helping kids to be the best they can be, and has helped make a positive impact in the lives of nearly 20 million people.