2024 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge Raises $40,000 for Local Not-for-Profits
CDPHP and the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC) today presented $40,000 in proceeds from the 2024 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge to local not-for-profits Wizard’s Wardrobe and Reeling for Recovery.
Wizard’s Wardrobe is a free after school one-on-one literacy tutoring program for elementary school children in the South End. Each student is assigned one or two dedicated tutors who work with them on strengthening reading, writing, and problem-solving skills with a wide variety of high-quality instructional materials. Virtually all students (96 percent) leave the program reading at a higher level. Reeling for Recovery is a grassroots not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged youth struggling with behavioral, social, and addiction issues. The organization uses adventure-based learning and fishing experiences to provide direct services to at-risk youth through student assistance counseling and summer camp programs. Through the programming, Reeling for Recovery educates students on the importance of making good decisions, setting and achieving goals, and reinforcing the importance of academics.
“On behalf of all of us at CDPHP, I want to thank our partners at HMRRC, race sponsors, and our nearly 9,000 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge participants for your support of a race we are so proud to be the title sponsor of year after year,” said Brian O’Grady, CDPHP President of Health Plan Markets. “The $40,000 raised for Wizard’s Wardrobe and Reeling for Recovery will enable the organizations to touch the lives of even more youth in the communities we call home.”
“This generous gift allows us to expand the experiences of children receiving literacy services even further by now offering a summer program to keep their skills sharp,” said Diane Hester, Executive Director of Wizard’s Wardrobe. “We are so grateful to have been chosen as one of the 2024 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge charities of choice.”
“Thank you for selecting Reeling for Recovery as one of the 2024 charities of choice to help at-risk youth and kids with special needs get hooked on fishing,” said Jeremiah Haley, Founder of Reeling for Recovery. “This transformative donation will go toward offering a free weekend of fishing education and adventure at Paul Smith's College, and I’m very grateful to CDPHP, HMRRC, and the race sponsors and participants for making a dream a reality.”
The CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge is organized by and serves as an important fundraiser for HMRRC. In addition to raising funds for local charities, the race also helps to fund HMRRC’s college scholarships, grants, and free running programs.
“The 2024 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge featured our largest post-pandemic field yet on a perfect May evening in downtown Albany. To top it off, HMRRC is thrilled to see Wizard’s Wardrobe and Reeling for Recovery benefit from the generosity of the running community,” said Todd Mesick, Race Director, HMRRC.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 36 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC)
The Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club is the Albany area’s largest running organization. The club was formed in 1971 and today has more than 2,500 members who come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life, as well as different running styles and speeds. Members are united in their love of running and desire to promote and participate in quality races and running-related activities. The club organizes more than 30 running events a year at many different locations throughout the Capital District. These events offer something for everyone, novice and veteran alike.