Insurer donates $10,000 to winning charity and runners up
Philadelphia, PA – Independence Blue Cross (IBX) announced that Back on My Feet, a non-profit teaching critical work and life skills to individuals living in homeless and transitional facilities, has been voted the winner of the company’s Season for Giving online charity campaign. The Back on My Feet Philadelphia chapter received $5,000 from Independence Blue Cross, while four runners-up were awarded $1,000 each from the Philadelphia-based health insurer.
“Our mission is to enhance the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve, so I’m extremely pleased to recognize these charities who also strive each day to improve the lives of people in our region and were selected through our online Season for Giving promotion,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO, Independence Blue Cross. “In addition, I want to thank our incredible community of Facebook fans who supported their favorite charities by voting in this campaign. Their participation demonstrates that small gestures — like a simple click on a Facebook page — can have a big impact in our community.”
Through Facebook, IBX invited fans to vote for their favorite of 50 charities. Over 1,100 people participated, and Back on My Feet was chosen the winner. Students Run Philly Style, People’s Emergency Center (PEC), the American Cancer Society, and Variety – The Children’s Charity, were runners-up. In addition, Independence Blue Cross randomly selected one voter who named the People’s Emergency Center her favorite organization. On behalf of that person, IBX donated another $1,000 to PEC, bringing the total donated to $10,000.
“This is a huge honor,” said Cathryn Sanderson, director of communications and corporate relations at Back on My Feet Philadelphia. “We are amazed at the amount of support we received from the IBX and Back on My Feet Facebook communities. On behalf of our members, we’re so thankful for this gift.”
IBX launched its Facebook page in December 2010 to offer fans exclusive nutrition tips, simple recipes, and fitness and wellness information to help them live healthier and to provide a place where fans could connect with other health-minded individuals.
Season for Giving is one of many campaigns that IBX has run on social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. These efforts focus on the important foundations of healthy living, including regular exercise, stress awareness, work-life balance, and a balanced diet. The goal of Season for Giving was to promote the great work being done by local charities, to encourage support of these organizations, and to encourage simple acts of kindness.
Media contact:
Kathleen Conlon
215.241.4576