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Aetna commits to USTA programs

HARTFORD, Conn. —Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced a unique three-year agreement that will further goals shared by both organizations: encouraging the health and well-being of children; and getting more children active and participating in the sport of tennis.

“Aetna is proud and pleased to support some of the activities planned for Arthur Ashe Kids Day and to continue honoring Arthur Ashe, who was such a significant part of the Aetna community”

Aetna will sponsor various activities and events at the 2011 US Open as well as school and community-based programs that extend throughout the next three years. Arthur Ashe Kids Day kicks off the US Open every year with interactive games, musical entertainment and tennis activities for families. The event benefits the USTA’s National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, a nationwide group of community tennis organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education.

“Aetna is proud and pleased to support some of the activities planned for Arthur Ashe Kids Day and to continue honoring Arthur Ashe, who was such a significant part of the Aetna community,” said Floyd W. Green, vice president, Community Relations and Urban Marketing. “Not only will we support events at the 2011 US Open, but through this relationship we also will touch children in communities across the country and engage them in the sport that Ashe loved so much. We know it is vitally important to the health of our children to encourage their interest in physical activity and wellness. When you can connect that interest to education, you’ve won game, set and match.”

Following his brilliant tennis career, Ashe served on the Aetna board of directors from 1982 until his death in 1993. Annually since 1994, the Aetna Voice of Conscience Awards have been presented to identify and honor people who emulate Ashe’s commitment to humanitarian ideals and who labor with little thought to their own advancement or recognition. The award was created as an expression of thanks to Ashe, who also served as chairman of the board of the Aetna Foundation, the company’s philanthropic organization.

“We are pleased to have Aetna as a sponsor as it aligns with our goals of promoting health and education through tennis,” said Gordon Smith, Executive Director and COO, USTA. “Over the next three years, together we will continue to serve up family fun during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and provide incredible support and excitement through grant-funding in local communities around the country.”

Aetna’s three-year sponsorship agreement includes the following.

USTA Serves/Aetna Tennis Skills court

Co-sponsorship of a tennis court of fun physical activities with USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the USTA, during Arthur Ashe Kids Day on August 27. The “USTA Serves/Aetna Tennis Skills” court will feature stations to keep kids moving and engaged through a number of tennis and physical activities. Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest Luncheon

Sponsorship of the Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest Luncheon on Sunday, August 28. The luncheon will honor the 14 national 2011 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest (AAEAC) winners who will be on-hand for a weekend full of celebration and experiential learning. During the luncheon, each of the national AAEAC winners will address the audience about the personal impact of the contest and the weekend. An event of the USTA’s National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, which was founded by Ashe, the luncheon is hosted annually by former NYC Mayor David Dinkins in the hospitality area on the grounds of the US Open the day before the tournament begins. ICON Awards

Support of the ICON Awards during which the Aetna ICON Grants will be presented. These new grants will help introduce tennis to diverse populations in one afterschool elementary program located in each of the USTA’s 17 Sections that will include education and nutrition components. The USTA will provide equipment and training for school leaders to teach tennis to children 10 years old and younger. Aetna employee volunteers will administer the educational components. USTA Serves and Aetna Grants

Together with USTA Serves, Aetna will award two grants to tennis and education programs in Harlem and Los Angeles, respectively. These grants will focus on promoting tennis, education and health over a three-year period.

Posted on August 24, 2011
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