WHAT:
In honor of National Volunteer Week, members of Independence Blue Cross’s (Independence) executive leadership team will be reading to first grade students from the Isaac Sheppard Elementary School — a 98 percent poverty-level school in Philadelphia that the company has been a corporate sponsor of for more than 20 years.
At the event, members of the executive leadership team will read “Oh the places you’ll go” by Dr. Seuss to 50 first grade students. Each student will receive a Dr. Seuss hat and a copy of the book.
WHEN:
Thursday, April 16, 2015
11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Independence Blue Cross Foundation Reception Area
(Members of media need to register at the 19th Street security desk in the first floor lobby)
1901 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
VISUALS:
Members of the executive leadership team, some of whom may be sporting a Dr. Seuss hat, reading to first grade students from Isaac Sheppard Elementary School, as well as handing out Dr. Seuss hats and copies of the book.
WHY:
Reading aloud to children is extremely important, even after they learn to read themselves. It helps them build their vocabulary, understand what words mean, do better in school, and much more. For the children of Isaac Sheppard Elementary School — a K-4 elementary school located in one of the city’s most poverty-stricken neighborhoods — this is an opportunity for them to interact outside the classroom with adults who are eager to share the excitement and importance of reading.
Other activities Independence has hosted/is hosting for National Volunteer Week include:
Book Drive
Monday, April 13 — Friday, April 17
The Blue Crew will hold a week-long collection of new or gently used children’s books, benefiting the library at Isaac Sheppard Elementary School.
Onsite Volunteer Projects
Tuesday, April 14
Associates can stop by to lend a hand at mini-volunteer activities taking place throughout the week, including: making awareness ribbons, stuffing envelopes, and more.
Offsite Volunteer Project
Wednesday, April 15
The Blue Crew will participate in United2Feed, part of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, by packing thousands of meal kits to stock local food pantries throughout the region for families in need. The event will be held at the Valley Forge Casino.
Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
Friday, April 16
To conclude the week, associates will be invited to join in the annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, which will recognize last year’s volunteer efforts and announce the top 10 associate volunteers.
In 2014, more than 1,700 Independence associates donated 6,500 hours of community service
at more than 70 different non-profit agencies through the company’s Blue Crew Corporate Volunteer Program (a comprehensive outreach program that serves as an extension of the Independence Blue Cross social mission).
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 10 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For nearly 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Media contact
Diana Quattrone
215 241-3113 (office)
215-301-3907 (cell)
diana.quattrone@ibx.com