Operation Backpack: UnitedHealthcare staff donate time and resources to provide food for Lake Wales Charter School students

Photos (L to R): UnitedHealth Group Strategic Account Executive Sandra McInnis joins Lake Wales Charter Schools Homeless Program Director Paula Alford, Angela Heyward and Paul Ruffridge, who helped coordinate the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) backpack donation project. UHC team members donated enough items to fill 73 backpacks. UnitedHealthcare Central/North Florida President & CEO David Lewis (last photo right) joins Lake Wales Charter School partners in presenting the donated backpacks.

North Central Florida UnitedHealthcare (UHC) team members from the employer and individual division recently donated their time and resources to fill 73 backpacks with food and other non-perishable items for Lake Wales Charter School’s “Operation Backpack” program.

The partnership was initiated when UnitedHealthcare North/Central Florida President & CEO David Lewis and UnitedHealth Group Strategic Account Executive Sandra McInnis were discussing ways in which UHC could support this long-time non-profit customer. Learning that the school was in need of items for its weekly backpack offering to students in need, a donation and volunteer request was sent to UHC team members. Enough food was purchased and/or donated to fill 73 backpacks along with additional staples to add to the school’s pantry that provides food to families in need.