TriWest Helps Fort Riley Families Facing Emergencies

Help Also Slated for Family Whose Daughter Died in a House Fire at Fort Riley

PHOENIX (Sept. 5, 2007) — TriWest Healthcare Alliance, administrator of the military’s health care program in Kansas and 20 other western states, is contributing $15,000 to Fort Riley’s Army Emergency Relief Fund at a ceremony Thursday.

A $2,500 portion of the contribution will go directly to the family of Arriana Washington, 9, who died in an overnight fire Aug. 20 in the Colyer Manor housing area at Fort Riley. The money will pay off the Army Emergency Relief bridge loan to the family, who were displaced after the fire.

TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. will present a check to Brigadier General Keith Walker, acting commander at Fort Riley, during a ceremony set for 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, at Fort Riley’s Irwin Army Community Hospital.

"As a parent, my heart goes out to the Washington family and to all military families coping with loss," McIntyre said. "We at TriWest wanted to help ease some of their burdens and show our unwavering support our troops. The Army Emergency Relief fund is our way of giving back to those who are defending our nation."

The contribution is part of TriWest’s $105,000 commitment this fiscal year to bolster Army Emergency Relief funds at Fort Riley and other Army posts to help Army families meet unexpected financial expenditures.