team successes

TriWest Raises Record $541,161 for United Way

PHOENIX (Oct. 30, 2006) — TriWest Healthcare Alliance and its employees raised a company record of $541,161 for United Way in this year's campaign and topped last year's contribution.

TriWest matched employee contributions dollar-for-dollar to the designated charities employees chose and in the communities where they live and work. TriWest has 1,950 employees serving the military's health care program, TRICARE, in 21 western states.

This year, TriWest added three employees to the United Way's prestigious Alexis De Tocqueville Society ? a group of community members who give more than $10,000 annually to their local United Way chapters. Fifteen staff members pledged to be Alexis De Tocqueville givers next year, which includes the TriWest company match.

Overall, companywide participation was nearly the same as last year, but the amount raised by TriWest employees grew by almost $100,000.

"That money will support a myriad of much-needed causes in TriWest's communities," said TriWest President and CEO David McIntyre, Jr. "The generosity of our employees speaks loudly and directly to the improved quality of life that we aim to deliver as an organization."

Some of TriWest's newest markets generated the greatest employee participation.

The Hawaii and Northwest markets had the highest percentage of total staff participation, far surpassing levels ever seen companywide. In Hawaii, 83 percent of the employees participated in the campaign in some way, and in the Northwest nearly 50 percent made donations.

The Northwest Market, located in Tacoma, Wash., generated a notable participation rate during just its second year as part of the TriWest family. Staff were motivated to give by way of a special matching program where every dollar they gave became $4 in their local community. TriWest matched the employee gift, then that sum was doubled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (for gifts given to the United Way of Pierce County community fund).