Independence Blue Cross celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

From left to right: Dr. Ala Stanford from the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, Lorina Marshall-Blake, Independence Blue Cross Foundation president, Cynthia MacLeod, superintendent of the Independence National Historical Park and Gregory E. Deavens, Independence president and CEO. Photo by HughE Dillon.

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) joined Philadelphians and all Americans in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in events and virtual community service activities.

Independence sponsored the 26th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service organized by Global Citizens 365 January 18. Independence President and CEO Gregory E. Deavens kicked the day off by joining Philadelphia and Pennsylvania leaders at the event’s opening ceremony at Girard College, which was followed by free COVID-19 testing provided by the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium at the school’s Fairmont campus.

Associates supported the Dr. King Day of Service virtually by collecting stuffed toys to be donated to animal shelters and rescues, preparing boxes including food, gift bags, cards and more for health care workers and the military, and training to become reading captains to help improve children’s literacy.

Deavens also attended the annual National Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Liberty Bell Center, where Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake delivered the opening prayer. This annual event is hosted by the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. Marshall-Blake is also a recipient of the Philadelphia Council of Clergy 2021 Martin Luther King “Honor the Dream” award. The honorees — pastors, educators and elected officials — were recognized in a virtual event on Jan. 17 for their hard work and dedication to freedom and justice.

Independence has a longstanding record of service to the community. In fact, the company’s Blue Crew employee volunteers will celebrate 20 years of serving organizations across Greater Philadelphia this year.

: Lorina Marshall-Blake, Independence Blue Cross Foundation president,at Independence, speaks at the 35th Annual Bell Ringing ceremony.

: Lorina Marshall-Blake leads a prayer at the 35th Annual Bell Ringing Ceremony on Martin Luther Kind Day of Service.

: PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro with IBX CEO Greg Deavens at Girard College for Martin Luther King Day of Service.

: Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, and IBX CEO Greg Deavens at Girard College for Martin Luther King Day of Service.