NU Online News Service, March 19, 10:40 A.m. EDT

The Travelers Companies, Inc. has donated a $500,000 grant to support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Capitol Insurance Companies donated a total of $50,000 to 160 charities from around the country, the companies said.

With its donation of a half-million dollars, Travelers supports The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a nonprofit residential summer camp and year-round center for children suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses. The grant will expand the Camp's hospital outreach program, bringing the activities of the Camp to children in hospitals from New York to Boston, according to Travelers.

Jimmy Canton, chief executive officer of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp said in a statement, "This grant will enable us to bring the talented counselors and specialists from The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Hospital Outreach Program right to the bedsides of more seriously ill children in hospitals."

The Camp's Hospital Outreach Specialists work collaboratively with hospital staff to implement programs focused on improving the quality of life for children during treatment. Daily activities are tailored to the hospital setting. The specialists also provide various support services to the children's families. Consistent with the Camp's other activities, the program is available to hospitals and families at no cost.

"The Camp is a magical place for the children who attend," said Andy Bessette, Travelers Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. "Travelers is pleased to support the Hospital Outreach Program and its efforts to bring some of that magic to children too ill to leave the hospital."

Over the last five years the company has provided more than $85 million in community support and its employees have contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours, the company said.

Capitol Insurance Companies recently concluded the celebration of its 50^th anniversary by donating a total of $50,000 to various charities. The contributions were based entirely upon suggestions received from the company's employees and agents and represented a combination of large, national organizations as well as small, local organizations.

The list of the 160 organizations includes the American Cancer Society, American Civil Liberties Union, American Heart Association, and the American Red Cross. Also among the charities were, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and Wildlife Conservation Society.

The $50,000 was in addition to the contributions Capitol and its employees make each year to various charitable organizations.

"Capitol has always had a strong focus on serving our customers as well as giving back to the communities in which we live and serve," said Diane West, vice president, administration and human resources of Capitol. "Our agents and employees are responsible for making this company successful and we realize the importance of giving back to the people who have been loyal to us for so many years."

Jim McIntyre, president and chief operating officer said, "We've been fortunate to be a successful company over the past 50 years, and would sincerely like to thank our dedicated customers and employees for putting their trust in Capitol. We couldn't have done this without you."

Special Reports /

Travelers, Capitol Donate $550,000 To Support Charities

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