WellCare Employees Spread Cheer with Metropolitan Ministries This Holiday Season

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of managed care services for government-sponsored health care programs, announced today that its employees are giving back this holiday season by volunteering with the Tampa-based social service agency Metropolitan Ministries, which provides life-changing support to homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless by assisting them with food, clothing, shelter and other vital services. 

WellCare employees and their families and friends volunteered their time as part of the WellCare Associate Volunteer Efforts (WAVE) program. WAVE encourages volunteerism, specifically with low-income, underserved and senior populations. The program creates awareness and generates much-needed supplies and funds for partner organizations that offer support to those in need.

Among the highlights:

• Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent – The Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent is dedicated to making holiday shopping a happy experience for the community's most vulnerable citizens. Each holiday season, over 10,000 families visit the tent to "shop" for holiday meals and gifts. More than 100 WellCare employees and their families and friends sorted donations, organized the tent, and assisted Metropolitan Ministries' clients with registration and holiday shopping as part of two WAVE events.
• 'Santa Cause' Gift Giving, Wrapping and Delivery– WellCare employees helped fulfill the wish lists of 200 children living in Metropolitan Ministries' temporary and long-term housing this holiday season as part of the company's 'Santa Cause' volunteer initiative. Employees from more than 40 departments donated over 5,300 gifts. Along with their families and friends, WellCare employees also wrapped the gifts during a WAVE event. The volunteer team will deliver the gifts to the agency today so each child will have at least 20 gifts waiting for them. This is the second year WellCare has held this event.

"We are committed to serving our communities and connecting those in need to the social services and supports necessary to help them lead better, healthier lives," said Larry Anderson, WellCare's senior vice president and chief human resources officer. "Partnerships with community-based organizations like Metropolitan Ministries are vital to supporting the health and wellness of our members, their families and the communities we serve."

"The partnership that Metropolitan Ministries has formed with WellCare is one that is invaluable to us. We pride ourselves in teaming with organizations that reflect our values and dedication to serving those who are less fortunate in the Tampa Bay area," said Tim Marks, Metropolitan Ministries' president and CEO. "The volunteer efforts of WellCare's employees are perfect examples of dedication, teamwork and pride in our community."

WellCare has partnered with Metropolitan Ministries for more than five years. In 2015, 374 WellCare employees volunteered 1,203 hours through 6 WAVE events, and 5,640 hours through 81 Days of Service, which are volunteer events that take place during the work day in the communities in which WellCare's members live.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2015. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

About Metropolitan Ministries
Through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency, the Ministries strives to be America's most effective and innovative caregiver for those in need. Metropolitan Ministries' main campus is located at 2002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602 and the Pasco campus is located at 3214 US HWY 19, Holiday, FL 34691. For more information visit www.metromin.org

MEDIA CONTACT:
WellCare
Johanna Herrmann
623-687-5701
[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150701/227667LOGO

SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.wellcare.com