CVS Health Celebrates #GivingTuesday and Colleague Volunteerism by Awarding $100,000 to 50 Nonprofits Nationwide

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The CVS Health Foundation today announced the 50 organizations that were selected to receive a total of $100,000 in grants in celebration of #GivingTuesday to recognize their colleagues' spirit of volunteerism and to support the inspirational community-based work being done by nonprofits nationwide. For the second year in a row, CVS Health colleagues were asked to nominate organizations  that they volunteer with in their communities to receive a grant from the CVS Health Foundation. The Foundation more than doubled its commitment this year, in response to the overwhelming success of their 2013 campaign, which awarded 25 organizations with a total of $25,000 in #GivingTuesday grants.

Today is the third annual #GivingTuesday, a national campaign created to spark a day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season, following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It celebrates charities, individuals, schools, businesses and other community organizations who come together to support charitable causes, and encourages everyone to participate in a national day dedicated to giving back. #GivingTuesday aligns with the CVS Health Foundation's goal to make a positive impact in the lives of people by investing in local communities. 

"#GivingTuesday reminds us that the holiday season is a special time of year to not only give back to our local communities but to recognize those who give back all year long through their commitment to volunteerism," said Eileen Howard Boone, President, CVS Health Foundation. "We're proud to support these organizations through our #GivingTuesday campaign and to celebrate our colleagues who volunteer their time for great causes in their local communities that have a meaningful impact on the lives of the people we serve each and every day."

Funding through the #GivingTuesday grant program will support 50 CVS Health colleague-nominated organizations nationwide, including:

• Clifton R Lewis Good Life Foundation – Tolleson, AZ
• Cutrano AZ Troop Run – Phoenix, AZ
• Junior Achievement of Arizona – Tempe, AZ
• Multiple Sclerosis Society Arizona Chapter – Phoenix, AZ
• Phoenix Children's Hospital – Phoenix, AZ
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central California – Bakersfield, CA
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – Manhattan Beach, CA
• Pediatric Therapy Network –Torrance, CA
• Always Brothers – Fairfield, CT
• Hockanum Valley Community Food Pantry – Vernon, CT
• Colon Cancer Alliance – Washington, DC
• Super Leaders, Inc. – Washington, DC
• Arc of the Nature Coast of Hernando, FL – Brooksfield, FL
• Boca Helping Hands – Boca Raton, FL
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida – Orlando, FL
• Greater Chicago Food Depository –Chicago, IL
• Pat Tillman Foundation – Chicago, IL
• Chicago Public Library (Harold Washington Library) – Chicago, IL
• Toys for Tots – Chicago, IL
• American Cancer Society (Relay for Life) – Carmel, IN
• Big Sister Association of Greater Boston – Boston, MA
• Hope in Bloom – Dedham, MA
• Lowell Humane Society – Lowell, MA
• Greater Lansing Food Bank – Brighton, MI
• VSA of Southeast Michigan – Detroit, MI
• American Red Cross (Livingston County Chapter) – Howell, MI
• Autism Society of North Carolina – Raleigh, NC
• Special Olympics of North Carolina – Morrisville, NC
• Victory Junction Gang Camp – Randleman, NC
• Family Reach Foundation –Parsippany –Troy Hills, NJ
• Julia M. Bommer Memorial Trust (Julia's Butterfly Foundation) –Wyckoff, NJ
• Connection for Women and Families (Pathways Women's Cancer Support) – Summit, NJ
• Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Long Island Chapter – Haupauge, NY
• Manhasset Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department – Manhasset, NY
• Marfan Foundation Adopt-A-School Project – Port Washington, NY
• Conversation Station – Orwell, OH
• National Hemophilia Foundation – Lansdale, PA
• National MS Society — Greater Delaware Valley Chapter – Philadelphia, PA
• Horses with Hope – Pittsburgh, PA
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State – Cranston, RI
• Northern Rhode Island Food Pantry – Cumberland, RI
• Operation Stand Down – Johnston, RI
• Shri Service Corps – Pawtucket, RI
• Tomorrow Fund – Providence, RI
• American Diabetes Association (Knoxville Office) – Knoxville, TN
• Haven for Hope – San Antonio, TX
• Kid Net Foundation (Jonathan's Place) – Garland, TX
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas – Irving, TX
• North Texas Food Bank – Dallas, TX
• San Antonio Food Bank – San Antonio, TX

For more information about #GivingTuesday, please visit http://www.givingtuesday.org/

About the CVS Health Foundation
The CVS Health Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS Health Corporation CVS. CVS Health is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the nation. The Foundation's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Health communities. General information about CVS Health is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at http://investor.cvs.com/, or through the Web site's press room at www.cvs.com/pressroom.

PRESS CONTACTS
Joanne Dwyer, CVS Health
(401) 770-2898
JDwyer@CVS.com

Eva Pereira, RF|Binder
(781) 559-0424
Eva.Pereira@rfbinder.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141202/161811LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-celebrates-givingtuesday-and-colleague-volunteerism-by-awarding-100000-to-50-nonprofits-nationwide-300003290.html

SOURCE CVS Health Foundation