Independence Blue Cross(Independence) and its affiliated companies are recognizing 20 years of volunteer service in the Greater Philadelphia community throughout National Volunteer Month this April. Highlighting theBlue Crewcorporate volunteer program, Independence will celebrate this milestone today by honoring three employees for their commitment to service with the inaugural Impact Awards. The company will also host Community Impact Days this week, which provides employees numerous virtual volunteer opportunities.
“At Independence, we believe that working together with community partners is the best way to make impactful change,” said Gregory E. Deavens, President and CEO of Independence. “While we can’t physically be together right now, our employees continue to find ways to enhance health and wellbeing in the communities we serve. I am inspired by the collective work of our Blue Crew members and their unyielding commitment to giving back to others.”
Community Impact Days
From April 19 to April 23, nearly 500 Independence employees will volunteer virtually across a diverse group of organizations including Senior Community Services, Philabundance, Project HOME, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Cradles to Crayons.
You can read:New utility assistance program available for Pennsylvania renters
“The last year has brought challenges to so many, and we’re extremely proud of our employees for continuing to volunteer at a time when it was needed more than ever,” said Stephen P. Fera, executive vice president of Public Affairs and executive sponsor of the Blue Crew. “It is a testament to the deep roots this program has grown over the last 20 years that our employees continue to give their time diligently day in and day out.”
Since 2001, Blue Crew members have volunteered hundreds of thousands of hours to local causes and supported more than 100 diverse nonprofits organizations across the region, including those that are working to address good health and well-being, food insecurity, and education and literacy. Despite the pandemic, nearly 1,000 Blue Crew membersvolunteered nearly 5,000 hours in 2020through more than100 events,54 of which were virtual.
This year, Independence is challenging its employees to volunteer 20 hours to celebrate the 20thanniversary. Both Blue Crew-sponsored events and independent volunteer time count toward the 20-hour goal.
Impact Awards
During a company-wide virtual ceremony, Independence will honor the Blue Crew’s commitment to service over the last two decades. It is also recognizing three volunteers for their exemplary work as part of an inaugural Impact Awards program. The winners who will be recognized for their exceptional commitment to volunteerism in 2020 are:
- Gina Vignola, Manager Informatics, Provider and Pharmacy Analytics, led an effort to distribute nearly 800 meals to support both restaurants and health care workers struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also working with the American Heart Association.
- Helen Shoffner, Executive Assistant, volunteered more than 700 hours over the last decade with the Blue Crew, in addition to serving as co-chair on the Women of Independence, an employee resource group. Shoffner also serves on the Blue Crew Advisory committee.
- Mary McLean-Yabor, Senior Proposal Specialist, leads volunteer work with the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey and participates in Students Run Philly Style as a Running Leader.
The ceremony will feature remarks from CEO Deavens and Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess, who was one of the founders of the Blue Crew when she worked for Independence. In addition, the Impact Award winners will talk about their passion for volunteering.
By: Press release
Latinx Newswire
