Employee news

03/05/2024

2024 Match Day Grant Recipient Highlights

The Humana Foundation hosted the “Match Madness” Double Match Day event March 5, 2024, to offer associates the opportunity to maximize their impact in their communities. Associates who donated during Match Madness received a 2-for-1 match up to an annual limit for their contributions to eligible nonprofits and were also entered to win one of 11 grants for further donation to a nonprofit(s) of choice.

Associates contributed to a variety of great causes, and with the Humana Foundation's double match, the total contribution to nonprofits on Double Match Day exceeded $800,000.

The 11 associates who were randomly selected to win grants are featured below with their chosen nonprofit for their respective primary donation(s) and the inspirations for choosing that organization as their gift recipient.

Thank you to all the associates who participated in Double Match Day!

The Ronald McDonald House

"The families are coming to the hospitals because their children are diagnosed with different conditions and they're struggling. The last thing they need to do is find out, 'Hey, where am I going to stay, where's my food? Where am I going to be?' It's nice to be able to have these grants available to help organizations that provide this help without asking for anything in return."

– Michael Ehlers (Wisconsin), recipient of $50,000 grant

The Clarehouse of Tulse

"In November, a very good friend of mine who had been fighting cancer caught the terminal card. He couldn’t go home and couldn’t stay in the hospital, so they moved him to Clarehouse, a local hospice in Tulsa. The staff took great care of him during his last days and the place is a serene well-run facility that allowed him to keep his dignity as he approached the end."

CASA Tulsa

“CASA advocates for kids who come in contact with the court system and makes sure the interests of the child(children) are represented. I donated the other $12,500 in Erica Jimenez's name in memory of her.”

– Harold Butler (Oklahoma)

Jefferson Council on Aging

“I have spent my 16-year Humana career supporting our Medicare members in various ways, so it seemed fitting that I allocate a large portion of the grant to an organization that supports the elderly. As I comb through medical records in my current role, it is heartbreaking how many of our members struggle with poverty, isolation, poor health and nutrition, and more.”

– Denise Delo (Louisiana)

Bellarmine University & Assumption High School

“I chose both of my alma maters, Assumption High School and Bellarmine University, because I felt they are part of the reason that I landed at Humana and had such a great career here. I started 36 years ago and have been very thankful for the opportunities Humana has provided. I retire July 1, and will always treasure my time here. I hope that future students at my alma maters also find rewarding careers through their studies at both Assumption and Bellarmine."

– Marian Myers Griffin (Louisville)

Catalyst Global Youth Initiatives

“I wanted to find an organization where the funds would be not only impactful but have longevity where it would create something that would continue to give back for years to come. Graduates of this program have gone on to complete college degrees and have now come back to Mentor/Volunteer our youth.”

– Victoria Ramos (Florida)

Our Savior Lutheran School

“Our Savior Lutheran School offers a classical education in a small class size environment. Both of my children attended the school, and it served them well for the future. My winning grant donation will help build an all-abilities playground for the community and will provide opportunities for others at the school as well.”

– Robert Ranzau (Kentucky)

Kosair for Kids

“I chose this organization to receive my donation because when I was an intern, I got to work inside the Kosair Charities offices and see the different kids and families around the building who were impacted by the non-profit. The organization to me means helping kids to simply be kids! Their families and kids deal with a lot of stress, and I’ve seen how Kosair helps them in the community to become less stressed and focused more on being kids."

– Kelsey Schneider (Louisville)

Blessings in a Backpack

“I am aware of the food insecurity that is experienced at Semple Elementary and their participation in Blessings in a Backpack, because my sister teaches there. Over 90 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch. We can’t expect children to do well at school if they are hungry, and I hope this donation will help set these children up for success.”

– Marlene Speaker (Kentucky)

Alley Cat Advocates

“I chose Alley Cat Advocates because I have volunteered with them for 10-plus years and they have had a huge impact on lowering cat populations and, overall, making Louisville a 'no kill' city for animals.”

Play Cousins Collective

“I brought together a few friends who work or have worked with community organizations, and we came up with a list of about six organizations that we thought were providing the best benefit for our communities. After researching the organizations and getting feedback, Play Cousins Collective came to the top of the list, so I chose them.”

– Lynn Westberg (Kentucky)

Doctors without Borders & Hospice of the Bluegrass

“We planned to donate to one local and one international organization. My Mother-in-law volunteers in hospices for many years, and we’ve been donating to Doctors Without Borders for many years as well.”

– Lichuan Yang (Kentucky)

St. Bernadette Caritas Endowment

“I chose the charity, St Bernadette Caritas Endowment because it will help with Financial Aid at my alma mater, and will help parents who need help, from time-to-time, to help cover their child’s monthly tuition fees.”

– Helga Zagmeister (Ohio)