PROVIDENCE – They built a sunporch at a safe haven for behaviorally challenged adults. They packed boxes of shoes for 712 homeless schoolchildren. They transformed the walls of a community center with fresh coats of paint and an intricately designed mural.

Nearly 700 volunteers – all employees of Blue Cross Blue & Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), fanned out across the state today for a fourth year running as part of the company’s Blue across Rhode Island day of service.

Collectively, in 13 teams, including one on-site at company headquarters, BCBSRI donated 3,970 hours to 13 community projects statewide, and provided

$65,000 in grant funding and in-kind gifts.

Blue across Rhode Island stands as the largest single-company volunteer day in the state, and more than 72% of BCBSRI associates participate.

All of the 13 projects align with the company’s push to create a healthier Rhode Island. The headquarters project team was hard at work for eight hours assembling “Flu Fighter” kits that were distributed to 18 agencies statewide. The kits included “cough spot” temporary tattoos to encourage children to cough into their elbows, along with information on free flu clinics.

“During the past four years, Blue Cross team members participating in Blue across Rhode Island have given more than 10,000 hours of service and more than $65,000 in grant and in-kind funding to community agencies working tirelessly to support Rhode Islanders in need,”  said Michele Lederberg, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, BCBSRI.

“Together, we’ve demonstrated the power of teamwork to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.”

Company President and CEO Peter Andruszkiewicz was among nearly 700 BCBSRI employees who participated in Blue across Rhode Island, which featured the following projects (see full list below):

• Sorting and assembling emergency infant and toddler hygiene kits for families in crisis throughout Newport County at The Changing Table, and packaging footwear for homeless RI children with Gotta Have Sole
• Providing upgraded spaces for disadvantaged and LGBTQ youth at sites including the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence, Youth Pride, Inc., Newport County YMCA,  YMCA of Greater Providence and Boys Town New England
• Supporting adults with developmental disabilities through greenhouse updates at The Groden Network and teaching classes and beautifying space at the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center

Project sites by location:

• Cranston
  • Gotta Have Sole
• Newport
  • The Changing Table
  • Newport County YMCA
• Pascoag
  • Community Care Alliance
• Portsmouth
  • Boys Town New England
• Providence
  • Boys & Girls Club of East Providence
  • Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
  • The Groden Network
  • YMCA of Greater Providence
  • Youth Pride, Inc.
• Warren
  • Highlander Charter School
• Warwick
  • J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center

Flu Fighter Kit recipient agencies:

• Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland/Lincoln
• Boys & Girls Club of Newport County
• Boys & Girls Club of Providence
• Boys & Girls Club of Woonsocket
• Boys & Girls Club Warwick - Norwood Section Boys & Girls Club Warwick - Oakland Beach Section Federal Hill House Highlander Charter School Newport Community School Paul Cuffee (Lower School) St. Mary's Home for Children The Learning Community YMCA Bayside YMCA Cranston YMCA Kent County YMCA Pawtucket YMCA South County YMCA West Bay

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health insurer and covers more than 450,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.bcbsri.com, follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI, and like us on Facebook at fb.com/bcbsri.