Aetna provides more than $40K to support health initiatives in Oklahoma
In honor of Every Kid Healthy Week, held April 22-26, Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma, a CVS Health company, shared that Aetna has provided community investments totaling $42,500 to Oklahoma Cleats for Kids and the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. The investments will provide safe sports equipment for youth across the state and support health and wellness initiatives for communities in central Oklahoma.
“Every Kid Healthy Week is a reminder of the importance of a holistic approach to health and wellness, recognizing that physical activity, nutrition, mental health and other factors all work together to shape our children’s lives,” said Sonja Hughes, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma. “We’re thrilled to announce our support for Oklahoma Cleats for Kids and the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, two outstanding organizations that champion initiatives to help youth in Oklahoma build a foundation of strength and vitality. Together, we can continue to encourage people of all ages, but especially our youth, to live healthy, active lifestyles.”
The donation to Oklahoma Cleats for Kids will further the organization's mission of empowering kids to learn life lessons through sports by providing essential sports gear through the organization’s Equip Oklahoma initiative. Since 2011, Cleats for Kids has supplied 230,000 kids in Oklahoma with 280,000 items to help them play safely and confidently. This funding will assist the organization in providing these resources to even more kids in need.
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“We’re so grateful for this generous contribution, which will significantly enhance our ability to supply Oklahoma’s youth with necessary sports gear, ultimately reducing barriers to participation,” said Stacy McDaniel, co-founder and executive director of Cleats for Kids. “Not only do sports promote physical activity, but they also bolster confidence and provide kids with a safe space for community and mentorship. Thanks to Aetna, we can expand our efforts to ensure no child is left on the sidelines due to lack of sports equipment.”
Aetna’s donation to the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City will advance the organization’s initiative to promote wellness and chronic disease prevention. The funding will help the organization continue to deliver tailored resources such as fitness classes, personalized training and nutritional classes for communities in central Oklahoma. Beyond providing immediate resources to achieve better health, the donation also will help the organization deepen its commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and encouraging the long-term well-being of community members.
“The donation from Aetna is pivotal in allowing us to grow our reach and impact in central Oklahoma, helping people from all demographics have access to essential health and wellness resources,” said Kelly Kay, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. “Through our collaboration, we’re better equipped to serve our community with a wide range of initiatives focused on physical health, nutrition education and community outreach.”
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