Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Plans to Deliver 8 Surprise Grants on 8/8 to Celebrate 8 Decades

$5,000 Checks Help Deserving Non-Profits in Rockford, Springfield, Quincy, Neoga, Carterville, Danville, East St. Louis & Jacksonville

News provided by

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Aug 08, 2016, 05:07 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) employees are delivering $5,000 checks to non-profits around the state, which didn't know they were being considered for the grants.

The Anniversary Grants are one way the insurer is celebrating its 80^th anniversary. BCBSIL president Maurice Smith wanted to mark the anniversary year by giving back around the state, especially in communities where Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has offices. Employees were asked to nominate community-based organizations that are making a positive impact on the lives of their neighbors, their friends, their families.

"Our 80^th anniversary plans were inspired by the employees themselves. They are the face and the heart of our business. By asking our local teams to select organizations within their communities, we keep those connections strong and partner to serve those who need the great services that these organizations provide," said Smith.

BCBSIL employees are announcing and delivering eight Anniversary Grants of $5,000 each to:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield
New Directions Warming and Cooling Center for the Homeless, Jacksonville
Camp New Hope, Neoga
Gum Drop Kids NFP, Carterville
Rockford Rescue Mission
Boys & Girls Clubs of Danville
Friends of the Trails, Quincy
Lessie Bate Davis Neighborhood House, East St. Louis

Christopher Coleman is the President and CEO of Lessie Bates Davies Neighborhood House. He says he found out about the grant just as his organization was struggling, "We were trying to figure out a way to provide more than 1,500 of the most underserved youth and children in this community with supplies for the upcoming school year, then we learned Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois was giving us a $5,000 grant. We were speechless and words could never describe just how grateful we are."

The Anniversary Grants are just one part of BCBSIL's 80^th Anniversary commemoration. Employees are also participating in 80 volunteer events – one for every year the company has had the privilege of partnering with people around Illinois. It's BCBSIL's 80 for 80 #2016SummerofService.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois