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The results were achieved by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's 1,500employees. The health insurer partnered with the New Haven County Cuttersbaseball team, WTNH News Channel 8 and WYBC Radio to educate the public aboutthe New Haven Diapers Bank's key role in providing diapers to area childrenwhose families receive services from Hill Health Center, Wilbur Cross DayCare, Lifehaven Shelter for Women and Children, Community Action Agency, ElmCity Residents Food Pantry and other community-based organizations.
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"The New Haven Diaper Bank, its board and clients are overwhelmed by thesupport Anthem and its employees have shown to us," said Joanne SamuelGoldblum, president of the New Haven Diaper Bank. "We will be able to provideover 400,000 diapers to children in New Haven with Anthem's generouscontribution," she explained. Goldblum estimates that the New Haven DiaperBank distributes about 50,000 disposable diapers a month.
More than 15 teams of Anthem employees participated in the two-monthfundraiser, which was led by Scott Markovich, regional vice president of thehealth insurer's State Sponsored Business unit. Markovich, will be honored inOctober by the New Haven Business Times as one of the region's "40 Under 40"community business leaders. Markovich and fellow employees presented Goldblumwith the first installment of monies and diapers - $63,215.36 - at an Aug. 4 New Haven County Cutters game at Yale Field. There, they were given "keys tothe ballpark" to continue to stimulate public education and giving. Cuttersfans donating a sleeve of diapers received a free general admission ticketthat night.
The Bottom Line:
"At monthly costs of more than $100 per bottom, keeping a baby in dry,clean diapers is costly," said David R. Fusco, president of Anthem Blue Crossand Blue Shield in Connecticut. "For the state's poor, it can be downrightimpossible. Infrequent diaper changing increases the risk of many healthproblems and infants crying non-stop from being in soiled diapers are atgreater risk for abuse," according to Fusco "For these reasons, Anthem and itsemployees continue to look for creative ways to work in the community tosupport the New Haven Diaper Bank and the state's Medicaid population."
This is not the first time the company has "stepped up to the plate" forthe New Haven Diaper Bank. Last March, Anthem's BlueCare Family Plan donatedmore than $30,000 to the New Haven Diaper Bank, enabling the organization tobuy a six-month supply of disposable diapers - approximately 250,000 to300,000 diapers - for children from newborn through about age three. Inaddition, Anthem's employees also contributed a sizeable supply of disposablediapers that they collected during a December holiday drive held at thecompany's North Haven campus.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is a subsidiary ofWellPoint, Inc. WellPoint, Inc. subsidiaries serve more than two millionMedicaid managed care members in 14 states. Enrolled Medicaid managed caremembers have access to a wide network of health care professionals as well ashealth management programs that are accredited and nationally recognized inseveral states.
About BlueCare Family Plan:
BlueCare Family Plan, the Medicaid (HUSKY) program of Anthem Blue Crossand Blue Shield in Connecticut, is the state's largest health benefits insurerserving more than 138,000 Connecticut HUSKY members, through more than 1,500participating primary care providers. BlueCare Family Plan, a community-basedmodel, is designed to break down social, financial and other barrierstrad
