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Independence plays Santa at the Sheppard School

By December 23, 2019July 8th, 2020Community Events & Sponsorships
Photo of Santa greeting children at the Sheppard School in Kensington, Philadelphia during Independence's annual holiday celebration at the elementary scholol

Santa’s sleigh made an early stop at the Isaac A. Sheppard School in West Kensington on December 18 thanks to the generosity of Independence Blue Cross associates. Each of the more than 165 students in the school received a personalized, wrapped holiday gift. The school also received hundreds of new winter coats to give to its students in need.

All donations were made by Independence associates through an internal holiday donation program called The Giving Tree.

The day included a spirited sing-a-long of holiday favorites by the Sounds of Independence, led by Lorina Marshall-Blake, vice president of Community Affairs.

An impactful tradition

Each year, Independence provides the Sheppard School with a holiday gift. This year, Donna Farrell, vice president of Corporate Communications, presented Sheppard School teacher and Literacy Lead Brenna Murphy with the donation. Marco Zanoni, acting principal, thanked Independence for their holiday spirit and volunteerism.

For nearly 30 years, Independence has provided the Sheppard School with support in the form of sponsorship and volunteerism. This important community partnership is evident year-round, in activities including Philadelphia Reads, Reading is Fun, Philadelphia Cares, and the Good Skates Program.

Students in reindeer headbands watch Independence's choir sing holiday songs at annual celebration
 
Student at Sheppard School looks up at Santa in delight at Independence's annual holiday celebration
 
IBX VP of Community Affairs leads the company's choir in a holiday Sing-a-Long at the Sheppard School
 
IBX VP Corporate Communications Donna Farrell welcomes Sheppard School students to Independence's annual holiday celebration at the school
 
Sheppard Student in Santa hat sits next to his present from Independence
 
Songs of Independence pose for a group photo before holiday assembly at the Sheppard School
 
Sheppard Student opens her present from Independence after annual holiday celebration at the school
 

Media contact:
Britni Zahodnick
britni.zahodnick@ibx.com
215.241.2228