The Magellan Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Magellan Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGLN) today announced that it has donated $80,000 to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors members of the military, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150910005965/en/

“The Magellan Cares Foundation is proud to make its first donation to an organization that helps meet the needs of our country’s military, veterans and first responders,” said Lee Ellen Meiss, executive director of the Magellan Cares Foundation. “These men and women play a critical role in the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens, often facing difficult or daunting challenges while doing so. The Gary Sinise Foundation’s mission aligns well with our stated mission and we know our donation will support those who need it most.”

The Magellan Cares Foundation donation will help support four specific programs administered by the Gary Sinise Foundation:

  • Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.): R.I.S.E. provides custom Smart Homes, adapted vehicles, home modifications, wheelchairs and track chairs to America’s most severely wounded heroes and their families.
  • Invincible Spirit Festivals: The festivals bring a fair-like atmosphere to one of our nation’s military medical hospitals, complete with a live Lt. Dan Band concert and a delicious cookout prepared by Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine.
  • Serving Heroes: This program provides meals to our nation’s defenders in various venues, including military hospitals, bases, and even at some of our nation’s major airports.
  • Relief and Resiliency Outreach: The outreach program supports those recovering from trauma, and includes various events and activities that help support those in need.

Michael Braham, who leads Magellan Federal, said, “As a veteran myself, I am proud that the Magellan Cares Foundation has chosen to support an organization such as the Gary Sinise Foundation. The critical work this organization has done to elevate the needs of our military, veterans and first responders is crucially important as more Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans return to civilian life. Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan character was fiction, but his commitment to the men and women who protect this country is very real.”

“We are so grateful for the support from Magellan Cares Foundation,” said Judith Otter, executive director of Gary Sinise Foundation. “These funds will go towards programs that are instrumental to our foundation’s goals, and we salute the Magellan team and their willingness to step up with such a generous donation.”

About the Magellan Cares Foundation: The Magellan Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, focuses on efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and related social supports. The foundation supports programs and initiatives in four areas: national or large-scale health access and quality improvement initiatives; efforts that help to improve the social supports around a quality healthcare system, such as access to housing, food, clothing or self-improvement opportunities; local efforts, including legacy initiatives supported by Magellan’s employees and; efforts to support America’s military service members, veterans and wounded warriors.

About the Gary Sinise Foundation: Actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise has been actively and tirelessly supporting the troops for over thirty years. Among his numerous film and television roles, it was his portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film Forrest Gump which formed an enduring connection with servicemen and women throughout the military community. After several USO handshake tours in 2003, Sinise formed the “Lt. Dan Band” and began entertaining troops serving at home and abroad. Performing pop hits to classic rock staples, the 12-member cover band has played for over half-a-million troops and their families.

In 2011, Sinise started the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to honor defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. These include its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence and Supporting Empowerment), whose flagship initiative is a specially adapted custom Smart Home building project for severely wounded veterans. Each home is customized to ease daily challenges and help restore independence with features like retractable cook tops, cabinets and shelving, elevators and more, all accessible via an iPad. The Gary Sinise Foundation is constructing these one-of-a-kind homes all across the country, each for a wounded hero, their caregivers and family. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Soaring Valor, Invincible Spirit Festivals, and Arts & Entertainment Outreach. Over the years, the Foundation has formed numerous corporate partnerships which support many of the Foundation’s programs. For more information, please visit GarySiniseFoundation.org.

About Magellan Health: Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Magellan Health, Inc. is a leader in managing the fastest growing, most complex areas of health, including special populations, complete pharmacy benefits and other specialty areas of healthcare. Magellan develops innovative solutions that combine advanced analytics, agile technology and clinical excellence to drive better decision making, positively impact health outcomes and optimize the cost of care for the members we serve — all within a customer-first culture. Magellan’s customers include health plans and other managed care organizations, employers, labor unions, various military and governmental agencies, third-party administrators, consultants and brokers. For more information, visit MagellanHealth.com.