Collaborations with local nonprofits critical to improving communities
MANCHESTER — The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation invested nearly $2 million in the communities and people of New Hampshire in 2018 as part of its continuing efforts to improve the health of the communities and lives of the people of the Granite State.
The Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, teamed with local organizations to develop innovative, community-specific programs that offer solutions to complex health issues and create healthier generations of Americans, with a focus on cancer prevention, prenatal care, active lifestyles, substance use disorder, and disabilities. Anthem associates also donated hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in personal contributions to directly assist nonprofits in strengthening the communities where they work and live.
“We believe strongly that improving the health of our communities is fundamental to what we do here at Anthem,” said Lisa Guertin, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire. “By engaging with local organizations, we are making real progress on some of the critical health issues facing the state, including the opioid epidemic and instilling in young people the importance lifelong healthy habits. We look forward to continuing our relationships with nonprofit organizations working to make a difference in the year ahead.”
Highlights of the Foundation’s efforts to promote health and wellness in New Hampshire in 2018 include support of the following:
- Easterseals NH & Farnum Center: The Anthem Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to Easterseals to support care coordination and emergency housing and employment assistance for 1,250 veterans in New Hampshire and Maine. In addition, Anthem was once again the presenting sponsor of the Farnum Center’s annual “Spirit of Hope” event, designed to raise awareness about substance abuse and to help fund treatment options in the Granite State.
- March of Dimes: The Anthem Foundation awarded a $40,000 grant to the March of Dimes to expand access to a smoking cessation program in the Upper Valley focused on reducing preterm births and improving maternal and infant health. In addition, Anthem was a sponsor of the March of Dimes’ annual March for Babies in Manchester.
- Greater Seacoast Community Health: The Anthem Foundation awarded GSCH a $15,000 grant to expand the organization’s breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured individuals in the Seacoast area.
- Manchester Police Athletic League: Anthem was once again a presenting sponsor of the annual Footrace for the Fallen 5K, with all proceeds supporting MPAL, an after school athletic program that fosters and maintains positive relationships between the youth of the Greater Manchester area and members of the Manchester Police Department.
Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country: Anthem was a presenting sponsor of the ASPNC’s annual Sunrise Ascent of Mt. Washington, with proceeds from the fundraising event enabling ASPNC and New England Disabled Sports to offer sport and recreational outings, programs, and competitive team opportunities to adaptive athletes in the North Country.
Boys & Girls Clubs: Six local Boys & Girls Clubs in southern and central New Hampshire each received a $5,000 grant from the Anthem Foundation to help fund a health and wellness program called Triple Play, which promotes the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition among young people.
In addition to support given directly to these organizations, Anthem associates turned their volunteer hours into contributions for the eligible charities they support through our Dollars for Doers program. In 2018, our associates donated more than 800 hours of their time, which generated more than $24,000 in much-needed donations for local non-profits across New Hampshire. And supported by a Foundation match, associates’ contributions made through the company’s year-round Associate Giving Program generated $107,000 for local charities.
Beyond the Foundation’s ongoing commitments with local organizations, Anthem associates came together for Anthem’s largest community-based service campaign this fall, Anthem Volunteer Days. New Hampshire associates helped to turn over garden beds at the NH Food Bank’s Production Garden in Manchester and also prepped meals at the NH Food Bank’s kitchen facility, also in Manchester.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire was recognized as a “Volunteer Program Champion” for its associate volunteerism and community giving by Volunteer NH last fall at the 2018 Spirit of NH Awards Ceremony.
To learn more, view Anthem’s Corporate Responsibility Report at www.anthemcorporateresponsibility.com.