WellCare Employees Help Spread Holiday Cheer with Metropolitan Ministries
TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today that its employees are giving back to the Tampa Bay community this holiday season by volunteering with Tampa-based, social-service agency Metropolitan Ministries, which provides life-changing support to those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless by assisting them with food, clothing, shelter and other vital services.
Throughout December, WellCare employees and their families and friends are volunteering their time as part of the WellCare Associate Volunteer Efforts (WAVE) and the Day of Service program. WAVE encourages volunteerism, specifically with low-income, underserved and senior populations through weekend volunteer events, while the Day of Service program offers volunteer opportunities that take place during the work day. The programs create awareness and generate much-needed supplies and funds for partner organizations that offer support to the communities in which WellCare members live.
Among this year's highlights:
- Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent – Each holiday season, approximately 18,000 families visit the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent to "shop" for holiday meals and gifts. In November and December, WellCare employees and their families and friends participated in numerous volunteer events to sort donations, organize the tent and assist Metropolitan Ministries' clients with registration and holiday shopping.
- "Santa Cause" Gift Giving, Wrapping and Delivery – WellCare employees helped fulfill the wish lists of approximately 200 children living in Metropolitan Ministries' temporary and long-term housing as part of WellCare's "Santa Cause" volunteer initiative. Employees from more than 50 departments donated more than 5,000 gifts. WellCare employees wrapped gifts during their work days, and WellCare volunteers will deliver and distribute the gifts, as well as healthy stockings filled with hygiene products like toothbrushes, shampoo and baby wipes, to children on Christmas morning. This is the third year WellCare has held this event.
- WellCare Community Foundation Donation – Because WellCare associates reached several fundraising goals, including fulfilling every child's wish list and supporting sales from Metropolitan Ministries' social enterprises "Inside the Box" and "Hope's Desserts," the WellCare Community Foundation will donate an additional $6,000 to support Metropolitan Ministries.
"At WellCare, we are committed to serving our communities and partnering with community-based organizations like Metropolitan Ministries that are vital to supporting the health and wellness of our members, their families and the communities we serve," said Rhonda Mims, WellCare's senior vice president and chief public affairs officer. "Each year, we look forward to these activities and are honored to have the opportunity to help Tampa Bay families have a happy and healthy holiday season."
"At Metropolitan Ministries, we are honored to partner with organizations that embrace our mission to serve those in need in the Tampa Bay area," said Tim Marks, Metropolitan Ministries' president and CEO. "We are thankful to have had the continued support of WellCare for the past six years and look forward to continuing to serve our local communities."
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. The company served approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com.
SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
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