Colorado National Guard members sometimes experience a decrease in their family income when they are deployed, which can affect their loved ones back home. For emergency assistance, Colorado Guard members can turn to the National Guard Foundation of Colorado for a loan to pay rent, utilities or medical bills.
To ensure that even more National Guard families can receive the financial aid they need, TriWest Healthcare Alliance is contributing $15,000 to the National Guard Foundation of Colorado. TriWest's Don Brown, market vice president for the central market, and Steve Alcock, service area director, will present the contribution to Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, the Adjutant General of the Colorado National Guard, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the National Guard Headquarters at 6848 S. Revere Parkway in Centennial.
"For some of these families, they may not have the resources available to help them as they would at military bases like Buckley and Peterson Air Force Bases, or Fort Carson," said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. "TriWest made the contribution with the hope that we can provide National Guard service members and their families some relief during challenging times."
There are approximately 5,000 members of the Colorado Army and Air National Guard, of which more than 60 percent have been mobilized for active duty since 2001. Most recently, 450 members of the 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, were notified of a 12-month deployment to the Middle East "” Colorado's largest Army National Guard deployment since World War II.
"The TriWest partnership with the Colorado National Guard Foundation provides a safety net to Colorado Guard members and their families in times of need," said Chaplain (Lt. Col) Andy Meverden, Colorado National Guard state chaplain. "Grateful for this second annual donation, we appreciate and value your ongoing assistance in meeting the emergency needs of our hometown heroes."
TriWest's contribution is part of its holiday "Giving to the Guard" campaign, providing support to the National Guard throughout 21 western states. For more on TriWest's community outreach programs, please visit www.triwest.com, which includes a Guard and Reserve Resource Center.
About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the health care needs of 2.7 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest is URAC accredited, without deficiencies, in Networks, Utilization Management, Disease Management, and Case Management. TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region and is the 2007 TRICARE Region of the year. TriWest is a proud corporate team member of "America Supports You." Visit www.triwest.comfor more information.
About the National Guard Foundation of Colorado
The Colorado National Guard Foundation was established as a result of the Gulf War in 1991. Today, the Foundation assists soldiers and airmen who are experiencing financial hardship and need assistance to pay their rent or utilities. The Foundation gives interest-free loans and grants to soldiers and airmen who are in need of emergency financial assistance for medical emergencies; line-of-duty injuries in which incapacitation pay is not made to the military member in a timely manner; pay and allowances for Guard duty which may be late or incoming; or a disaster such as a home burning down all qualify as emergencies. For more information, please visit http://www.coloradoguard.army.mil/webpages/family/guard_foundation.htm