Rolling with Support: How Positive Adults and Bikes Empower Hartford Youth

September 5, 2025

Bikes, cheers, and positive role models: Helping Club kids get moving and inspired.

More than 200 employees from The Cigna Group gathered at the company’s Bloomfield headquarters this week to build bicycles for local youth to ‘Gear Up for Good,’ an initiative that aims to engage young people through biking as a path toward better health. Following the bike build, employees cheered on cyclists participating in the Achilles International 500-mile bike relay, along with company leaders as they biked to the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill to celebrate the donation and honor the community.

“Giving back is part of our DNA at The Cigna Group. Seeing so many of our colleagues come together to cheer on the inspiring cyclists of Achilles International and build bikes for Hartford youth was incredibly powerful - especially as a former Club kid myself,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “In a world that’s always online, helping kids unplug and build real-world connections through biking is a meaningful way to support their physical health and emotional well-being.”

During the celebration, The Cigna Group’s chairman and chief executive officer, David M. Cordani, offered brief remarks before the teens were presented with the new bikes, along with helmets and water bottles. In addition to The Cigna Group’s donation, The David & Sherry Cordani Family Foundation furthered the impact by donating additional bikes and helmets.

“With 175 new bicycles for our local Harford Clubs, we can help our teens and kids be their best selves at school, home and in the community,” said Tomeka Cole, vice president of development and communications, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. “But today’s celebration goes far beyond bikes. It’s about investing in the bright, promising future of Hartford’s youth. We’re grateful to The Cigna Group and The David and Sherry Cordani Family Foundation for ensuring that every Club kid who needs a bike will have one.”

The Cigna Group has a broader partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America through its philanthropic entity, The Cigna Group Foundation, which provides grant funding to help expand work with local Clubs to train staff on how to identify the signs and symptoms of youth in distress, and become trauma-informed in their policies, practices, and programs, and expand the use of its successful Behavioral Support Toolkit to all Clubs.

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Scary Good Fun for a Great Cause: 2025 Donny’s Dash Brings Greater Hartford Together

October 28, 2025

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford President & CEO Bruce Jeffery joins UConn legend Donny Marshall, BGCH staff, and Club Kids at the start of the 2025 Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. Over 400 runners, including 80 Club Kids, participated in this community event in support of Great Futures. Photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. Over 400 runners and 80 youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford laced up their sneakers today for the 2025 Donny’s Dash: Scary Good Fall Run, held at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. The event brought together families, community partners, and corporate supporters for a day filled with fitness, fun, and philanthropy—all in support of opening doors to Great Futures for Hartford youth. Among the runners were more than 80 Club Kids r epresenting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, who ran with pride, excitement, and that signature Club energy. Their enthusiasm captured the true spirit of the event—creating opportunities where young people can grow, thrive, and dream big. The celebration featured appearances by Donny Marshall, UConn basketball legend and BGCH Board Member, Morgan Tuck, General Manager of the CT Sun, and Bruce Jeffery, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. "We are incredibly proud to see our community come together to support our Club kids," said Jeffery. "Every mile run today represents a step toward brighter futures for the kids we serve every day." All proceeds from Donny's Dash directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, providing local youth with access to safe spaces, positive mentorship, and programs focused on academic success, character & leadership, wellness and life & workforce readiness.