BCBSRI to host fifth annual Blue across Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE – On Sept. 23, hundreds of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island employees will provide hands-on support to 13 nonprofit community organizations during BCBSRI’s fifth annual Blue across Rhode Island.

“The strength of Blue across Rhode Island over the past four years comes from the commitment to wellness and spirit of collaboration that define the culture of Blue Cross,” Carolyn Belisle, managing director of community relations for BCBSRI, said in the company’s statement. “With each Blue across Rhode Island, we continue our support of local organizations promoting good health – both physical and mental – for children and their families, creating stronger and healthier communities in the process.”

Blue across Rhode Island, the organization’s signature volunteer event, is one of Rhode Island’s largest single-day, employee-led volunteer events, BCBSRI reported. During the 2015 Blue across Rhode Island, 680 employees donated nearly 4,000 volunteer hours to community organizations, benefiting nearly 14,000 Rhode Islanders, of whom more than 6,000 were children.

Employees throughout the company will participate in projects, all designed to leave a lasting impact. Projects include:

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  • Creating a welcoming therapeutic garden for individuals and families receiving behavioral health treatment at the Newport County Community Mental Health Center in Middletown.
  • Transforming language learning labs and job training classrooms into a welcoming environment for new immigrants accessing literacy, education and employment services through Dorcas International in Providence.
  • Trailblazing and constructing boat racks to improve the safety of outdoor athletic areas at the Kent County YMCA Camp Ok-Wa-Nessett in Warwick, which BCBSRI said plays a vital role in the positive development of local youth and families.
  • Restoring hundreds of children’s bicycles donated through Recycle-A-Bike in Providence for children and youth in need.
  • Conducting “FitnessGram” assessments for 200 middle school students at Highlander Charter School in Warren, a required initiative that would otherwise take school staff a full year to complete.
  • With Playworks, an organization that aims to improve children’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing through the power of play, beautifying Greystone Elementary School’s playground space in North Providence.

    BCBSRI reported that, in addition to volunteer support, each project site receives a $5,000 grant to support its work. Since BCBSRI launched its first such event in 2012, nearly 80 percent of employees have provided almost 15,000 volunteer hours and the company has donated $180,000 in grant funds to 36 nonprofit organizations focusing on helping Rhode Islanders live better, healthier lives.

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