Health Plus - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

For Immediate Release

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Health Plus Citywide Toy Distribution is Back

Media Inquiries:Kathryn Soman (718) 491-7493
Customer Inquiries: Marketing Department (888) 809-8009

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - December 21, 2006 — Once again, managed care organization Health Plus, working with longtime partner Lutheran Medical Center and many other organizations, helped brighten the holidays for many children by giving them the chance to take a picture with Santa and receive a free toy. At community centers across the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau County, children waited in line with their parents for a chance to sit on old St. Nick’s lap and whisper what they want for Christmas. And, courtesy of Heath Plus, over 10,000 children received a free gift.

Waiting in line for their turn to pose with Santa, children danced to holiday music, while munching on Christmas cookies, passed out by Health Plus staff. Some of the children stood in wonder before the many giant balloon displays set up at each location, while others were content to play with their new toy trucks and video games -- just two of the many gifts that Health Plus distributed.

“This is such a happy time of the year for most of us,” said Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus. “Hosting these events just adds to the charm of the season. We understand that some children are not as fortunate as others, but if we can make a difference for them, then we will continue to spread holiday cheer each and every Christmas.”

Health Plus staff and members of the NYPD stand with local children, each of whom received a free gift and a picture with Santa, at the Health Plus North Poll Stroll at the Hope Garden Community Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Angel Laporte Jr, Larry McReynolds, Wendy Goldstein, Angel Rivera; and Irma Padilla pose with festively dressed children at the Health Plus holiday event at Lutheran Medical Center.

Julio Coronel and Salvador Valle, stand with local children who received a free gift and photo with Santa Claus as part of the Health Plus Holiday Event at the Salvation Army on Lenox Avenue in Harlem.

Burchell Gordon, Gregory Meeks, Carol Simon, Leo Compton, Wanda Rosario, stand with local children at the Health Plus Holiday Event at the Boys and Girls Club on Atlantic Avenue in Richmond Hills, Queens.

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Health Plus, a not-for-profit, multi-cultural organization, is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations in New York City. It was established in 1984 with a commitment to provide coordinated quality health care and improving access to health care for uninsured and underserved families. In its annual review of managed care plans, the New York State Department of Health ranked Health Plus as the top plan for quality in its 2002 and 2003 "Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Managed Care in New York City." Health Plus is New York City's leading provider of Child Health Plus, a New York State Department of Health program that offers parents FREE or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19. "CRAIN'S New York Business" magazine ranked Health Plus fifth among the largest health maintenance organizations in the New York area.