YMCA assists with Blue Cross service project
PROVIDENCE – As part of the eighth annual Blue across Rhode Island day of service on Sept. 13, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) partnered with local non-profit organizations at 14 volunteer project sites across the state. Teams of BCBSRI employees provided hands-on volunteer support totaling more than 3,000 hours.
“Blue Cross is committed to passionately leading a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island, and Blue across Rhode Island provides the perfect opportunity for us to directly impact Rhode Islanders, in a way that is tangible,” said BCBSRI President and CEO Kim Keck. “Working together, we can effect some of the social determinants of health that are critically tied to the health of our communities – things like food security, housing or access to safe physical activity.”
In addition to volunteer support, project sites received a financial contribution of $5,000 from BCBSRI to support their important work. Recognized nationally as a “Best in Class” volunteer initiative, Blue across Rhode Island has become not only a signature event for BCBSRI employees, but also an invaluable resource for the organizations it has supported over the years. Since the inaugural event in 2012, BCBSRI employees have provided more than 24,000 volunteer hours and the company has donated $380,000 in funding to nearly 60 agencies dedicated to helping Rhode Islanders live better, healthier lives. Blue across Rhode Island has made a lasting impact on the lives of more than 100,000 people throughout the state.
Central to this year’s Blue across Rhode Island day of service is the company’s 80th anniversary and commitment to the theme: “80 Acts of Kindness – It’s What We Live For.” The community-service inspired campaign encourages BCBSRI employees to expand the company’s roster of volunteer activities, and memberand community-focused initiatives to no fewer than 80 acts of kindness in 2019.
Service projects receiving support include:
The Confetti Foundation
The Confetti Foundation supplies extra special birthday parties to children who have to spend a birthday in the hospital. BCBSRI volunteers constructed themed birthday party kits to help more than 150 hospitalized children have a distraction from their illness and celebrate their special days.
50 Jordan St., East Providence
Pawtucket Family
YMCA
YMCA of Pawtucket provides meals, sports- and health-related activities, academic help, and more (often at low or no cost) for 250 children every day. BCBSRI volunteers helped refurbish a Soft Play area used by little ones and their parents and will also refresh the paint in classrooms where children complete their homework and study for school.
20 Summer St., Pawtucket
#RecessRocksinRI at Waddington Elementary School
BCBSRI volunteers worked with Playworks New England to turn bare concrete into a colorful playground with assorted activity stations to increase opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play for the students at Waddington.
101 Legion Way, Riverside