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Press Release
Independence Blue Cross to Join 15th Annual United Way Days of Caring
More than 275 associates to participate in six events, more than double a year ago
Philadelphia, PA - September 14, 2006 - They'll come armed with hammers, paintbrushes and shovels, but leave with a community beautified and the region strengthened.
More than 275 volunteers from Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will take part in six different projects throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey as part of the 15th annual United Way Days of Caring event today and on Saturday. This year, more than double the number of last year's volunteers have signed up for the event. IBC has steadily been increasing the number of associates involved with the Days of Caring, from about 50 in 1995 to more than 275 this year.
"The United Way Days of Caring event is a tangible way to change lives and make a difference in the community," said Joe Frick, Independence Blue Cross President and CEO, and this year's regional co-chair for the Days of Caring. "I'm heartened by the dedication and commitment our associates show each year by donating their time and energy to what has become an annual tradition in our company."
IBC associates will volunteer at the following locations. All projects will take place today, except for the Gompers playground project, which will take place on Saturday.
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Shepard Recreation Center (5700 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia).
The Shepard Recreation Center helps keep children safe, off the streets and out of trouble by providing stimulating and enriching after school programs such as homework assistance, sports, visual and performing arts programming, and teen programs that promote a positive self-image and personal development.
Over 100 IBC volunteers will help restore the recreation center for the children of West Philadelphia. Volunteers will be restoring a baseball field, tennis courts, and a boxing ring; painting and cleaning the pool house; painting playground equipment, planting flowers and doing some light gardening.
Attendees to this project include: Alba Martinez, President and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania; Pat Eiding, President Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO; Marvin Robinson, President, Keep the Children off the Streets; The Eagles Cheerleaders and Swoop, the Eagles' official mascot; Lon Greenburg, Chairman and CEO, UGI Corporation/AmeriGas, and 2006 United Way General Campaign Chair; Terry D'Alessandro, Market CEO, Metro Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Sovereign Bank, and United Way Board Chair; and Joseph A. Frick.
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Ackey's Field and Playground Refurbishment Project (Forest Avenue and Sterigere Street, Norristown).
Ackey's Field and Playground is a well-known neighborhood park in Norristown for free play, sports, and family picnics.
Some 20 IBC volunteers will help restore the park's luster and make it a safe place for the entire community by grooming the infield of the ball field, repairing the roof on a picnic shelter, painting lines and replacing nets on the basketball courts, painting playground equipment and trash cans, planting flowers, and doing some light gardening.
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Maternity Care Coalition (2000 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia).
The Maternity Care Coalition provides support and services to low-income pregnant women and their families, and helps children get a healthy start on life.
About 40 IBC volunteers will make outreach calls for Cribs for Kids eligibility, help sort donations, and assemble new-mom gift bags. Earlier this month, IBC associates donated baby items such as diapers, formula, and onsies to be packaged in the gift bags.
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Philadelphia Senior Center (509 Broad Street, Philadelphia).
The Philadelphia Senior Center serves senior citizens in the Philadelphia region.
About 30 IBC volunteers will bring in the spirit of autumn by planting fall mums and sprucing up the garden. Volunteers will also brighten up the senior lounge with a new coat of paint and paint a mural on the courtyard wall.
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Riverbank Self Help Center (114 Delaware Avenue, Burlington, NJ).
The Riverbank Self Help Center provides friendship and support in a safe, caring environment for those who were or who currently are seeking mental health treatment.
Eighteen volunteers will help clean up the yard, landscape, and paint picnic tables.
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Gompers/St. Joseph's Playground (5701 Wynnefield Road, Philadelphia).
On Saturday, September 16, more than 60 IBC associates will help install the first playground in the Wynnefield community at Samuel Gompers Elementary School. Associates will also assist at an on-site health fair that day.
Several dignitaries will be speaking during the event on Saturday: Chaka Fattah, U.S. Congressman (D-PA), Second Congressional District; Paul Vallas, CEO, School District of Philadelphia; Michael A. Nutter, Former Philadelphia City Councilman, Fourth District Council; Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., President, Saint Joseph's University; and Joseph A. Frick.
Independence Blue Cross has been involved with the Days of Caring events for more than 10 years. Last year, 130 IBC associates joined four Days of Caring projects and completed work in a day that would have taken agencies several days or months to finish. Projects included renovating three decrepit ball fields for neighborhood children, moving 30 yards of mulch to create a children's play area, planting 100 spring bulbs and other gardening chores, decorating and fixing up a senior citizens center, delivering lunches for Meals on Wheels, creating gift bags for new mothers, and preparing educational folders for new parents.
For the last three years, IBC associates donated over $1 million during the two-week United Way campaign. With the company's dollar-for-dollar match, IBC has been a corporate leader in United Way giving. Over the last five years, IBC and its associates have donated about $9.75 million to the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.
Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross's Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.
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