The Hartford Financial Services Group, Simsbury, Connecticut, has received the 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award from U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). The award recognizes a person or organization that has been instrumental in creating resources that support the Paralympic movement. The Hartford is the founding sponsor of U.S. Paralympics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting and training elite athletes with physical disabilities.
“We are honored to receive the 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award,” said Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of The Hartford’s Group Benefits Division. “We believe the athletes of U.S. Paralympics are amazing. They are the true embodiment of our Ability Philosophy-that success is possible when we focus on abilities, not limitations…. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue helping them reach their dreams.”
“This award recognizes The Hartford’s ground-breaking leadership in the Paralympic sport movement,” said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC. “Because of The Hartford’s long-standing commitment and enthusiastic support, thousands upon thousands of athletes have had opportunities to achieve success in and out of the sports arena.”
In presenting the award during the 2009 Developing Amazing Leaders Paralympic Conference on April 17 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Huebner praised the personal commitment of The Hartford’s employees, noting the many hours that they volunteer in support of Paralympic programs. “This award is for their amazing engagement,” he said.
The Hartford’s investment in the abilities of U.S. Paralympic athletes began 15 years ago this month, with the launch of Team Ability, a group of elite disabled athletes. In 2003, The Hartford increased its support by becoming the first company to forge a multi-year agreement exclusively with U.S. Paralympics. In December 2008, The Hartford renewed its commitment by extending its support through the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
“The elite athletes of U.S. Paralympics are powerful, positive role models for our disability claimants. They demonstrate that the healing power of sports, and they show that with the right resources and support, what one’s heart, mind and body can accomplish is limitless,” Gendreau said.
As part of its partnership, The Hartford sponsors and organizes more than 200 events with Paralympic athletes throughout the United States annually. A majority are educational programs to promote awareness among Americans— particularly within the business community—about the value that employees with disabilities bring to the workplace.
In addition to the 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award, The Hartford recently received two additional honors. The Hartford was named to the Top 50 Employers List by CAREERS & the disABLED magazine and is the recipient of the 2009 Disability Matters award presented by Springboard Consulting, Mendham, New Jersey, in partnership with Work Life Matters magazine.
