A Tradition Worth Keeping
 A tradition is a custom passed on from year to year or generation to generation. One of Housing Authority Insurance Group’s most time-honored traditions is its participation in the Cheshire Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society.
HAI Group participation began with the inaugural Cheshire Relay For Life as employees donated nearly $2,500 in 1997. For this year’s 12th Cheshire Relay, HAI Group employees topped all previous efforts by raising $17,087. All totaled, HAI Group has raised $118,711 since the Relay’s inception. The Cheshire Relay For Life is nearing the $6 million mark in donations.
HAI Group employees devised numerous creative ways to raise donations. The Claims Department held an E-mail-a-thon with their various vendors that raised $4,970. Casual dress weeks were sold, bringing in another $2,870, while a basket raffle of cool prizes put together by each department raised $2,150.
No event was overlooked: For instance, Executive Services Director Leslie Whitlock thought a popcorn sale would be a great way to celebrate Internal Auditor Valerie Bashura’s appearance on the TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
HAI Group’s efforts were not limited to monetary donations. Whitlock was co-chair of the Survivorship committee and captained the HAI Group team. The team, which billed itself as HAI Hopes, had 30 company participants on it.
 Employees were not the only ones involved with the Relay. HAI Group donated $3,000 to sponsor the “Enchanted Garden” Survivor Tent. A series of activities were planned at the tent, including a seminar on Holistic healing, a Latin dance class, and a performance by the University of Connecticut Ballroom Dance Team. One of the kickoff events was a “Survivor Lap.” Participants carried “HAI Hopes” balloons donated by the company during their lap around the Cheshire High track. | 
