How We Make a Positive Impact for Carolinians
Dec. 19, 2024
Thousands of our employees step up year after year to support communities across South Carolina. This giving spirit is an important part of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s company culture.
This year, our employees volunteered more than 22,000 hours to organizations committed to helping our neighbors and improving the lives of South Carolinians.
“Throughout this year, we have seen our employees’ unwavering support for their community. Their generosity of time and money help create a brighter future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” says Elizabeth Nkuo Johnson, director of Community Relations at BlueCross.
In 2024, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation supported more than 80 projects to nonprofit organizations across the state to promote better health and health care for all South Carolinians.
“The work at the Foundation helps to create and foster healthy environments. This promotes better physical health, mental health, and well-being, for individuals and children across the state," says Erika Kirby, executive director of the Foundation.
Responding to Tragedy
BlueCross stepped up when Hurricane Helene devastated our state and neighbors this fall. Many employees organized supplies drives to donate needed items. They organized caravans and truckloads of necessities.
Employees donated $53,656 to support five organizations responding to the hurricane. This effort supported:
- American Red Cross.
- Salvation Army.
- United Way.
- Harvest Hope.
- Central Carolina Community Fund.
BlueCross matched the employee donations.
Healing for Heroes
The Big Red Barn Retreat has provided hope for active-duty military members, veterans and first responders since 2014. The group offers programs that turn struggle into strength and growth.
The Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well programs provide a variety of health activities for those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. The programs’ services include:
- Yoga and Tai Chi.
- Healing arts.
- Equine assisted therapy.
- Gardening.
- Meditation.
- Farm-to-table cooking classes.
- Financial wellness training.
Plus, veterans and first responders can join Coffee and Conversations every Friday.
BlueCross is proud to support its important work with South Carolina’s heroes. Members of our Military Business Resource Group volunteered to serve meals for the Warrior PATHH program this year.
Getting Active for a Cause
The company celebrated its fifth annual 5K race, bringing together nearly 700 runners — both on-site in Columbia and virtually across the state. Every participant had a chance to vote for their favorite nonprofits. In return, we donated to the winning organizations:
- Ronald McDonald House.
- Boys and Girls Club.
- Free Medical Clinic.
Supporting Seniors
The number of South Carolinians over the age of 65 is growing. But Senior Resources in Richland County has been serving citizens in need for decades.
The organization provides thousands of meals through its Meals on Wheels program and has expanded its services to address growing concerns for those in need.
“Each meal we serve represents one less senior facing hunger and isolation in Richland County. Our success isn't just in numbers — it's in the lives we touch and the sense of connection and nourishment we bring to those who need it most,” says Becky Morrison, director of development with the organization. She shares more about Senior Resources important work.
BlueCross has been a supporter of the organization year after year. Our employees volunteer with the program to pack and deliver meals several times during the year. Even our interns joined local seniors for games and camaraderie during their summer internships.
Giving Babies a Healthy Start
Managing diabetes during pregnancy reduces the risk of health issues for both mom and baby. More than 2,000 babies got a healthy start through Diabetes Free SC (DFSC) programs that support expectant mothers with or at risk of diabetes during pregnancy.
The DFSC Management of Maternal (MOMs) Diabetes program, offered at Prisma Health locations through the support of the Foundation, are delivering results that last a lifetime.
More than half a million South Carolinians are living with diabetes, which is one of the most pressing issues facing our state today. In partnership with DFSC, the Foundation is aligning efforts of diabetes-focused community partners across the state.
Empowering People With Disabilities
For more than 30 years, Able South Carolina has been a beacon of empowerment and change in the disability community. As the state’s oldest and largest federally recognized disability led organization, it works to:
- Equip people with disabilities with tools to foster pride and direct their own lives.
- Educate the community to challenge stereotypes and eliminate barriers.
- Advocate for access, equity and inclusion at the local, state and national level.
BlueCross is proud to support Able South Carolina and the impact it makes on people’s lives.
Improving mental health access
The Foundation supported more than 20 projects connecting people to mental health services. These projects increase access through schools, parents’ support and connection points such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
The Foundation supported improvements in staffing and technology to give the best help to 988 callers. Partners such as Mental Health America of Greenville County can now spread hope, save lives and serve those in distress. More than 33,000 individuals used the statewide service in the last year.
Many of the Foundation’s funded projects in 2024 focused on earlier intervention and identification of mental health risk with a focus on youth.
Sharing Untold Stories
The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston celebrated its first year, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors. The project was 20 years in the making with BlueCross supporting the vision of what the museum can provide for our state.
“We’re a private nonprofit, but we are built for the public. We’re a public trust, and we are designed to be available and welcoming to our entire community, to be able to be in conversation, to be a point of sharing and a point of reflection,” says Malika Pryor, chief learning and engagement officer at the museum. She reflects on the IAAM’s first year.
Inspiring Winners
Special Olympics South Carolina’s mission to provide athletic competition for children and adults with disabilities inspires millions to hope, to defy odds. It creates opportunity for people such as Josh Myers, a gold medalist in powerlifting, to set, chase and achieve their goals.
The organization’s work is important for the more than 1.1 million individuals living with disabilities in our state. BlueCross proudly sponsors Special Olympics South Carolina, celebrating inspiring stories such as Josh's.
Feeding Children
Harvest Hope Food Bank provides more than 25 million meals every year. It packs, transports and delivers nutritious food to soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries and schools in 20 counties across our state.
This year, our employees gave both time and funds to support the food bank. Employees donated $3,144 and gave 3,102 pounds of food during our summer food drive. More than 30 employees volunteered at the warehouse to pack 840 boxes of food for the nonprofit’s summer feeding program for kids.
The efforts didn’t stop there. Another 80 employees packed 680 meal kits for the program at special BlueCross events near our offices. These five-day meal kits contained nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack items to feed 900 children every week during the summer.
Earlier in the summer, our interns got a taste of our corporate giving culture by volunteering at Harvest Hope and joined Senior Resources for quality time with local seniors.
Boasting a Giving Spirit
BlueCross’ employees are incredibly generous. Many give their time throughout the year to help organizations across our state. Yet, every year through multiple events, our employees also donate to local nonprofits.
During our annual United Way campaign, our employees donated more than $2.7 million to the United Way and supplied 17 classrooms through the organization’s school supply drive. These funds support the nonprofit’s fight for health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. Overall, employees have given more than $58 million since 1993.
They didn’t stop there. They also donated $38,902 to 241 nonprofits during the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s annual Midlands Gives campaign. During the 18-hour giving event, more than $4.5 million supported 574 nonprofits.
During the holidays, employees volunteered at the WIS phone bank to support Families Helping Families and adopted 212 families. They gave holiday gifts, clothing, food and other essential items.
Saving Lives
BlueCross employees don’t only give time and money. This year employees donated more than 500 pints of blood to the American Red Cross. We hosted 18 blood drives at offices in Columbia and Florence.
Lending a Helping Hand
Employees continued their giving spirit at our annual Day of Service. More than 300 volunteers helped at 26 locations across the Palmetto State for more than 1,300 volunteer hours. They picked up trash, built houses, served meals, sorted donated clothes, preserved quilts, painted walls and got to work outdoors on beautifying projects.