Health Plus - Health Plus' 8th Annual Holiday Celebration Gathers More Than 2,600 Children At "North Pole Stroll"

For Immediate Release

Health Plus' 8th Annual Holiday Celebration Gathers More Than 2,600 Children At "North Pole Stroll"

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New York, NY - December 9, 2002 — Over 2,600 children celebrated the holidays this past weekend in Brooklyn with Health Plus and the department of Parks and Recreation at the Sunset Park Recreation Center.

The highlight of the December 6th event was the now traditional lighting of the Sunset Park Christmas tree, which was donated by Health Plus eight years ago. The tree was beautifully decorated with handmade ornaments created by the students of Public School 1 and Public School 169 and the Virtual Y after school program. Health Plus once again gave the children with toys such as yo-yos. Children in attendance had their picture taken with Santa Claus for free.

"The holidays are a very magical time, especially for children, and Health Plus is pleased to wish our communities the compliments of the season," says Health Plus' Chief Executive Officer Tom Early. "These types of events that our organization produces are solely to promote goodwill."

Children received free toys and a picture with Santa at the Sunset Park Recreation Center for Health Plus’ ‘North Pole Stroll’

Children and Health Plus staff pose in front of the Christmas Tree at Sunset Park Recreation Center at this year’s ‘North Pole Stroll’

Santa Claus listens to what a youngster wants for Christmas this year

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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.