PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9 Highmark Inc. recently awarded $7,500 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania and beyond to assist programs supported by its employees' volunteerism efforts. The grants were awarded through Highmark's Employee Volunteer Grant Program, which reinforces the company's appreciation for employees who volunteer their time and services to help local organizations carry out their missions in the community.
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Highmark recognizes that its employees know best the most pressing needs of the agencies where they volunteer. Through this program, employee volunteers are invited to apply for a $500 grant to support the institute with which they volunteer.
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The grants are generally given to organizations that do not already receive significant contributions through Highmark's corporate giving program. Nonprofits are eligible to receive one grant per year through the program.
The following organizations received grants through Highmark's Employee Volunteer Grant Program during the second quarter of 2009.
About Highmark Inc.
As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.8 million people through the company's health care benefits business. Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people's health. Highmark exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study states that Highmark's positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. The company provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
Nonprofit Organization Volunteer and Activity County ------------ ---------------------- ------ Children's Grief Joan Punt, senior account executive, Albuquerque, Center of New volunteers to raise awareness and funds N.M. Mexico to support new and current programs specifically designed for children as they grieve the death of a loved one. Greater Pittsburgh Ciro Dalia, service representative, assists Allegheny Community Food with food collections, coordinating Bank harvesting events with local farms and distributing food and grocery products in order to supply soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies that help those who are less fortunate. Society for Lisa Newman, eMarketing consultant, serves Allegheny Progressive as a co-chair for the organization's Supranuclear fundraising efforts in the Pittsburgh Palsy region, which helps generate a greater public awareness about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Historical Society Jody Schmeltz, administrative assistant, Cumberland of East Pennsboro provides assistance with processing archives, managing finances, giving presentations and guiding tours in the region. The Volunteer Jill Snyder, community initiatives Cumberland Center specialist, serves as the chair of the advisory council where she oversees the coordination of the Barn Party fundraiser and Volunteer of the Year event. The Volunteer Center helps match individuals with volunteerism opportunities in their communities. BARAK, Julia Mallory, community outreach Dauphin Incorporated representative, is a board member for BARAK, Inc., which encourages at-risk youth to participate in creative arts programming that helps to revitalize the community. Boy Scouts of Georgianna Sue Neufer, application support Dauphin America analyst, volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America by transporting scouts to various locations, participating in fundraising opportunities and promoting volunteerism for local organizations. Progressive Diane Schrum, application developer II, Dauphin Education of assists with the organizations' production Children in the of the Celebration of Children show held Arts Network, each July, which showcases local youth Inc. talent. Philhaven Bob Lewis, premium accounting analyst, is a Lebanon Behavioral Health member of the board of directors and Care Services assists with the organization's efforts to provide healing, hope and reconciliation for children and their families who are unable to access mental health services. ISMRD-Rock4Dakotah Julie Leanne Fuller, credentialing Los Local Chapter specialist, volunteers to help families Angeles, cope with storage diseases by generating Calif. awareness for the disease and raising funds in the local community. Child Care Jane Stone, community initiatives Northampton Information specialist, volunteers to help provide Services, Inc. quality child care information to families in the region. Girl Scouts of Teri Aunspach, technical business analyst, Perry America volunteers with Girl Scout Troop 626 helping young girls become involved as valuable members of the community. Mt. Gilead United Elizabeth Stone, privacy and security Perry Methodist Church consultant, volunteers during a summer camp to work on various repair and construction projects that will benefit individuals and families in Perry and Juniata counties. Paw Prints Dog Jennifer Rice, associate business analyst Perry Sanctuary HPO, cares for dogs of Pennsylvania military personnel who have been deployed and special needs or senior dogs in the region. Keystone Area Michael R. Wolfe, membership and billing York Council Boy administrator, volunteers as a charter Scouts of America representative serving as a liaison between Paddletown St. Pauls UMC and the Boy Scout pack, providing them with a safe and healthy place to meet.
SOURCE Highmark Inc.
