| The Southwest Autism Research & Resource | | | | GardenWorks program, allowing the non-profit to |
| Center (SARRC), a non-profit working toadvance | | | | involve thecommunity in a program to benefit |
| research and provide support for individuals with | | | | individuals with ASDs. By developing a co-opgarden, |
| autism and theirfamilies, has been awarded a $100,000 | | | | SARRC will teach those with ASDs gardening and |
| grant as the winner of the 2009 Arizona | | | | landscaping skills theycan use to work toward financial |
| Benefits grant, funded by health benefits company | | | | independence, while community members will |
| Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). | | | | beencouraged to mentor individuals with ASDs to help |
| Mark El-Tawil, president of Humana of Arizona, named | | | | them grow, harvest and selltheir products. |
| SARRC as the winner of thegrant during the Arizona | | | | "Going into the third year of this program, Humana is |
| Benefits Celebration of Giving dinner Thursday, Oct. | | | | committed to continuing togive back to the |
| 22, at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Two other finalists | | | | communities we serve through programs like Arizona |
| for the award - The | | | | Benefits,"said El-Tawil. "To help an organization like the |
| Phoenix Public Library Foundation and Sun Cities Area | | | | SARRC find a solution to acommunity need and grow |
| Transit System Inc. - eachreceived a $10,000 grant | | | | in a way they might not have thought possible is |
| from Humana. | | | | theheart of what this program is all about. We`re |
| With the $100,000 award, SARRC will create | | | | honored to be able to work withthe SARRC to help |
| GardenWorks, a community-basedprogram designed | | | | those with autism spectrum disorders learn valuable |
| to engage individuals with autism spectrum disorders | | | | lifeskills while raising healthy crops." |
| (ASDs) indeveloping and sustaining a | | | | The community judges choosing the recipient of the |
| revenue-producing co-op garden. | | | | $100,000 grant included Jacob |
| "A diagnosis of autism is made in the United States | | | | Brown, Willis Insurance; Paul Dolby, Circle K; Marcie |
| every 20 minutes, and thenumber of children expected | | | | Cragg, The Gavin Group; |
| to need extensive adult services over the next | | | | Rhonda Forsyth, John C. Lincoln Health Network; Tom |
| 15years exceeds 380,000, which is roughly equal to the | | | | Leander, Phoenix Suns; Peggy |
| populations of Tempe, Yuma, | | | | Neely, District 2 Councilwoman for the City of Phoenix; |
| Flagstaff and Payson combined," said Jeri Kendle, | | | | David Strachan, Desert |
| Executive Director of SARRC. | | | | Schools Federal Credit Union; and Cheryl Vogt, Marsh. |
| "Clearly there is a great need for the kind of training | | | | Humana representatives onthe panel of judges |
| and mentoring | | | | included El-Tawil, president of Humana of Arizona; |
| GardenWorks will provide for individuals with autism | | | | Steve |
| spectrum disorders." | | | | Macias, practice leader; Jennifer Willis, practice leader; |
| Kendle said the grant from Humana will provide | | | | and Jeff Chicots,regional vice president. |
| needed resources for the SARRC toimplement the | | | | |