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(Paramus, NJ) February 4, 2008 - When the Giants won Super Bowl XLII against the undefeated New England Patriots in what is being called "the greatest Super Bowl ever," they did more than thrill thousands of sports fans.
Since the beginning of football season, with every touchdown scored by the Giants, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has donated money to the "Touchdowns for Families" initiative to benefit Children's Aid and Family Services. With the culminating win this past Sunday, the Giants' scores have earned $35,000 dollars for New Jersey children and families in need.
Initially, Horizon BCBSNJ donated $500 to Children's Aid and Family Services for every touchdown that the New York Giants made during this season. When the team made it to post season, Horizon BCBSNJ increased the touchdown money to $1,000. The Giants' two touchdowns in the Super Bowl earned an increased donation of $2,500 for each touchdown for a grand total of $35,000.00.
"The Giants and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey are already winners in our book because of their generosity to kids in need," says Bob Jones, Ph.D., president & CEO of the agency. "We are ecstatic with the Super Bowl victory and the unexpectedly large donation! Our kids feel like they were the Giants' good luck charm."
A colorful "Good Luck" card featuring artwork by one of the children who attends the agency's Turrell Child Care & Early Learning Center was given to the Giants to take with them to Arizona for the Super Bowl. The note in the card, written by another child at the Center, states, "We think you are a great football team. Please win the Super Bowl for us." To see a picture of the card, go to www.cafsnj.org.
The "Touchdowns for Families" initiative launched in September with an event featuring Amani Toomer at which several children eligible for adoption were given a special tour of Giants Stadium and team gifts. Children and teenagers from the agency's group homes also enjoyed the festivities at the annual "Jingle Jam" holiday party hosted by the Giants in December.
Based in Paramus, Children's Aid and Family Services maintains group homes for children and adolescents who can no longer live with their birth family for a variety of reasons, most commonly abuse and neglect, providing nurturing environments that encourage full participation in local community, civic, and religious activities. The agency works to place children with foster and adoptive parents; it also provides housing and financial support for young adults aged 18-21 who have "aged out" of foster care and need a place to live while they attend school, begin a job, and become financially independent.
Well known as a resource for children in need of homes throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties, Children's Aid and Family Services also actively supports a number of community initiatives which help families in a wide variety of ways. Their Baby Basics program provides nutritional formula and diapers to low-income parents of children age newborn through 2 years. The Turrell Child Care & Early Learning Center offers high quality child care to families from all backgrounds, in addition to offering scholarships to children of low-income parents. Additionally, the agency's senior program provides guidance and counseling to the frail elderly, and their caregivers, to help navigate the services available to them.
About Children's Aid and Family Services
Children's Aid and Family Services is one of the largest regional, nonprofit human services organizations serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served the community for more than 100 years. Its mission is to preserve, protect and, when needed, provide families. Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, it provides high-quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs. For more information, visit www.cafsnj.org.
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