Tivity Health and Health eVillages Provide Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico

FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tivity Health and Health eVillages are assisting seniors affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria by providing funding and hands-on support for rebuilding efforts. Last month, 35 Tivity Health colleagues traveled to Puerto Rico to volunteer with Prints of Hope International, a non‑profit organization founded by Tivity Health colleague, Abdiel Sosa. The project, which took place in the city of Loiza over a three-day period, focused on repairing homes located in low-income areas, as well as homes owned by families who do not have access to funding.

Tivity Health asked for colleague volunteers as part of ongoing efforts to engage colleagues in the company’s social responsibility initiatives and provide relief for families impacted by the hurricanes. The company covered in-country expenses for colleagues, including meals, lodging, transportation and medical insurance. Colleagues raised their own funds to cover airfare. In addition, building materials and other supplies were covered by the Tivity Health-Health eVillages Hurricane Relief Fund, established last fall for hurricane recovery efforts in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

The team assisted in rebuilding homes by mixing over 2,000 pounds of concrete, laying foundation, installing support beams, replacing roofing, building furniture, assembling appliances and more. The homes were found in various conditions – some partially destroyed by the hurricanes, and others completely lost due to fire or the natural elements.

“I am in awe of the impact our colleagues have made in Puerto Rico and their continued commitment to doing good not only through our Tivity Health and Health eVillages partnership, but around the world through various causes that they personally support,” said Donato Tramuto, Chief Executive Officer of Tivity Health. “This was an opportunity for Tivity Health, Health eVillages and Prints of Hope to give back  and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, families, and children in need throughout the community in Loiza.”

While in Puerto Rico, team members visited Hogar De Ninas De Cupey, a center for children ages 2-12 who were removed from their homes due to violence, neglect and unsafe living conditions. Through the Prints of Hope Dress a Child Program, colleagues delivered clothing and toys. Colleagues also visited the Hogar Ben David senior home in San Pedro, where they distributed clothing, bedding and toiletries, and spent time sharing stories, laughter and tears.

“This was a very special experience and opportunity to give back to those in need,” said Abdiel Sosa, Territory Manager at Tivity Health and Founder and CEO of Prints of Hope International. “I am immensely grateful to Tivity Health, Health eVillages, and my fellow colleagues for putting their hearts and their time into this project.”

Tivity Health is planning a second colleague volunteer trip this summer to continue to support rebuilding efforts. To read more stories from the trip, visit www.HealtheVillages.org and watch the video online here.

About Tivity Health          

Tivity Health, Inc. is a leading provider of fitness and health improvement programs, with strong capabilities in developing and managing network solutions. Through its existing three networks, SilverSneakers® - the nation’s leading community fitness program for older adults, Prime® Fitness, and WholeHealth Living™, Tivity Health is focused on targeted population health for those 50 and over. With more than 15 million Americans eligible for SilverSneakers, over 10,000 fitness centers in the Prime Fitness Network, and more than 25 years of clinical and operational expertise in managing specialty health benefits and networks, including chiropractic services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, acupuncture, massage and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services, the Company touches millions of consumers across the country and works directly with hundreds of healthcare practitioners and many of the nation’s largest payers and employers. Learn more at www.tivityhealth.com.

About Health eVillages

Health eVillages collaborates to advance healthcare access and improve the quality of care by providing state-of-the-art mobile health technology including medical reference and clinical decision support tools, as well as other community-focused resources, to medical and public health professionals in the most challenging clinical environments around the world. Health eVillages partners include Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Tivity Health, Sharecare, the Tramuto Foundation, Skyscape, PCS Wireless, Global Impact, the Maternity Foundation, Medical Aid Films, and more. For more information, visit www.HealtheVillages.org.

About Prints of Hope  

Since 2000, Prints of Hope International (POHI) has focused in underprivileged communities around the world. Each person and/or community has a different necessity that needs to be targeted to create a significant change. Some might need clean water, others a school – but whatever their need – our goal is to provide the necessary tools to help them live a productive and healthy life. For more information, visit www.printsofhope.org.