WellCare Champions nominations open

SYRACUSE, N.Y. » WellCare Health Plans, Inc., a local Medicare Advantage health plan, is looking to honor individuals who are helping to better the lives of older adults in central New York. Now through June 25, WellCare, formally known as Today’s Options, is asking local residents to visit www.WellCareChampions. comand nominate a Champion.

WellCare Champions are your neighbors, your friends, your colleagues and your parents. They are central New York residents who exemplify how one person can make a difference in the lives of older adults.

Five finalists will be recognized asWellCare Champions during a Syracuse Chiefs pre-game ceremony on Aug. 2, 2018. They will also participate in an online competition where baseball fans, the community, and friends and family can vote for the individual story worthy of earning the grand prize.

The 2018 WellCare Grand Champion will be recognized at the New York State Fair and will be presented with a $10,000 donation for their chosen charitable organization.

“We are excited to continue WellCare’s Champions competition again this year,” said Dan DeLucia, WellCare’s senior market director. “This program opens our eyes to the amazingwork of individuals and not-for-profit organizations that are making an impact on the lives of older adults in the central New York area and gives us an opportunity to recognize the important contributions these Champions are making in our community.”

Last year’s grant recipient was North Area Meals onWheels. Ric Wahl, a volunteer and member of the Meals on Wheels Board, was the 2017 Grand Champion. Additionally, five worthy individuals were Champion finalists in the 2017 competition: Jenny Ackley, Wendy Davenport, Richard Synek, and Sandy Bufis and Suzanne Loveland (nominated as a team).

The Champions program complements WellCare’s commitment to making a difference in the communities where its members live and work. The competition honors individuals who help seniors live better, healthier lives, while also sharing WellCare’s goals of improving quality of life and maximizing access to services for seniors and people with Medicare.

The competition is open to those living in any of the following counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Broome, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego and Tompkins.

For more information, including WellCare Champions Official rules and submission information, visit the website at www. WellCareChampions.com.