PITCHING IN

Wilson staff raises funds for Komen

Wilson & Co.’s Albuquerque staff completed their third annual Picnic with a Purpose fundraiser to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Wilson & Co. invited their 175 employees to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a national organization dedicated to advancing the fight against breast cancer. The organization funds research efforts toward preventing and finding a cure, and it also save lives by meeting critical needs in communities.

It’s difficult to find anyone who hasn’t been affected by breast cancer, either directly or indirectly, and employees of Wilson & Co. are no exception. Many were passionate about supporting this fundraiser because of their own diagnosis or that of a mother, grandmother, daughter or friend.

One employee gave voice to many others, saying, “I have family members and friends who have suffered with breast cancer . ... I want to make a difference.” Project Blue Box aids St. Martin’s St. Martin’s Hospitality Center is pleased to announce receipt of a second year of funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) to continue Project Blue Box, a collaborative effort to combat childhood hunger.

St. Martin’s received $50,000 again this year through BCBSNM’s Healthy Kids,

Healthy Families (HKHF) initiative, helping improve the health of youth and their families in local communities.

“We’re pleased to give our support to St. Martin’s and Project Blue Box,” said Janice Torrez, divisional vice president of external affairs at BCBSNM. “This program helps children and their families have access to nutritious foods each weekend. The children return to school on Monday ready to learn rather than hungry after a weekend without food.”

Project Blue Box delivers food each week to six community partners, including four Title I elementary schools, the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy and the Casa Barelas Community Center. Partner staff identify the students and families in greatest need of meal support and help coordinate weekly food box distribution. Each Project Blue Box student receives a customized food box containing fresh, whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, pasta, protein and dairy.

Designed to reduce food insecurity among vulnerable families, this school year St. Martin’s has assisted over 320 elementary school students and their families through the program.

“Project Blue Box is such an important collaborative project, bringing tangible care to at-risk youth and their families throughout the school year,” said Greg Morris, executive director at St. Martin’s. “Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico recognized this need early on, and has been a tremendous partner in this ongoing effort.”

HKHF is a signature program of BCBSNM. The initiative focuses on engaging children and their families in understanding the importance of nutritious food, raising the level of physical activity, improving immunizations rates, better managing chronic conditions and promoting safe environments. Twelve New Mexico organizations, including St. Martin’s, received HKHF funding for 2017 programming.