UNH UnitedHealth Group, a diversified health and well-being company, is partnering with Project Sunshine to host Martin Luther King Jr. birthday events for pediatric patients and their families in children’s hospitals across the country.
UnitedHealth Group and Project Sunshine, a nonprofit organization that provides free educational, recreational and social programs to children facing medical challenges, are hosting 11 Martin Luther King Jr. Day events to benefit patients in children’s hospitals in Minneapolis; Chicago; New York City; Philadelphia; Phoenix; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Plano, Texas.
Project Sunshine and UnitedHealth Group volunteers are creating “I Have a Dream”-themed art, reading and journaling projects. At the birthday parties, volunteers will work with the children and their families to create personalized “dream” journals using themes such as hope and freedom, and incorporating kids’ expressions of the significance of their own dreams for the future, their families and the world.
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of hope and dreams for millions of Americans. UnitedHealth Group and Project Sunshine are bringing Martin Luther King Jr. birthday parties to children’s hospital patients – many of whom stay for days and weeks at a time – to help them realize their dreams and bring a sense of normalcy to their lives,” said Kate Rubin, UnitedHealth Group vice president, Social Responsibility.
“In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, more than 400 employees nationwide will volunteer with Project Sunshine throughout the month to bring hope to thousands of young patients with activities that encourage them to remember and follow their dreams,” said Beatrice Kernan, executive director, Project Sunshine.
About Project Sunshine
Project Sunshine is a nonprofit organization that empowers a dynamic and dedicated corps of over 10,000 volunteers to bring key programs – recreational (arts), educational (tutoring and mentoring) and social service (HIV and nutritional counseling) – to over 60,000 children facing medical challenges and their families in 150 major cities across the United States, and in five international satellite sites: Canada, China, Israel, Kenya, and Puerto Rico. Project Sunshine is dedicated to bringing a ray of hope to these hospitalized children.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, UnitedHealthcare Community & State, OptumHealth, Ingenix and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 75 million people worldwide. Visit www.unitedhealthgroup.com for more information.
