DENVER, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado has a long history of giving back to the communities where its associates live and work. In 2008, the strong commitment continued through financial support from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation and the generosity of the company's associates.
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Anthem's community efforts for 2008 were highlighted by a $430,000 contribution from its own employees that will support hundreds of community-based non-profit organizations throughout Colorado. Through its annual Associate Giving Campaign, Anthem associates can direct their giving to any 501(c)(3) organization. The funds pledged by Anthem associates will receive a 50 percent match from the parent company's Foundation, increasing the total to more than $645,000.
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"Anthem associates are some of the most generous people I've ever met," said John Martie, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado. "In these challenging economic times, our associates give from their hearts to Colorado organizations that make a difference for people in need."
Nationwide, associates of Anthem's parent company pledged more than $16 million to nearly 10,000 charities. In addition to the Associate Giving Campaign contribution, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grants in Colorado in 2008 totaled approximately $830,000, including commitments to:
Fit4Colorado, a statewide public action campaign, created by CBS4 and America on the Move, to motivate Coloradans to take charge of their health by moving more and eating better.
Alzheimer's Association of Colorado to support the creation of a 10-year-plan to address the crisis of increasing numbers of citizens with Alzheimer's. The Association was tasked with the creation of this plan by the State Legislature in 2008.
Metro Health and Wellness Commission through Civic Ventures to create model "Lean and Green" Schools in Colorado and improve the health and well-being of Colorado's children.
The Colorado Business and Health Care Forum, to help businesses understand health care through weekly online newsletters, community forums and website.
Denver's Road Home, to support Denver's plan to eradicate homelessness.
Pueblo Suicide Prevention Center, to maintain 24-hour help lines and hotlines to prevent suicides in this area of the state.
Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved, to support the KidsBlitz Initiative to enroll children in the State Child Health Insurance Program by training volunteers and assisting enrollment.
"CBS4 is proud to partner with the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to support the Fit4Colorado Public Action Campaign," Walt DeHaven, CBS4 General Manager said. "Together we are committed to helping make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation and this grant helps us encourage people to make small changes in their lifestyles that can help improve their overall health."
In addition to the Foundation grants and generosity of Anthem associates, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado's community relations commitments totaled more than $130,000, including support to the following organizations:
American Lung Association: Anthem is the exclusive sponsor for the organization's annual "Run the Republic"
Alzheimer's Association of Colorado: Anthem is the statewide sponsor for the organization's annual "Memory Walk"
Colorado AIDS Project: Anthem is presenting sponsor for the organization's annual "AIDS Walk Colorado."
Anthem also provides support to the following organizations, among others: the American Diabetes Association, Mile High United Way, the Center for African American Health, the Center for Women's Health Research, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce, the I Have a Dream Foundation, the Colorado Women's Foundation and the Colorado Leadership Alliance.
These community commitments by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado, its Foundation and parent company Foundation total $1.6 million for 2008.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation
Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem's inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to reduce the number of uninsured as well as organizations and nonprofit charities that promote the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company's annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates' campaign pledges. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. To learn more about the Foundation please visit www.wellpointfoundation.org.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado is available at www.anthem.com.
SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado
