Last spring, Blue Cross of Idaho employees donated $107,000 to the new Blue Cross of Idaho Employee Community Giving Fund, a health-focused charitable effort powered by Blue Cross of Idaho employees. A dollar-for-dollar company match combined with a $4,000 donation from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health brought the inaugural total to a just over $218,000.
The Foundation took grant proposals beginning in November 2017 through January 12, 2018. A small committee made up of Blue Cross of Idaho employees reviewed the 26 proposals received from across Idaho. It awarded 12 grants to projects in three focus areas: Childhood Obesity, Senior Health and Women and Children’s Health.
“Giving back is a core value of our employees,” said Charlene Maher, president and CEO for Blue Cross of Idaho. “We could not be more proud of our team, not only for their financial investment, but their passion to improve the health of their neighborhoods. These projects are one way to expand innovative solutions to help Idahoans make small changes and develop healthy habits.”
This year’s Employee Giving Campaign begins in early May.
Below is a description of each proposal funded by the Employee Community Giving Fund.
Childhood Obesity Grants
Project and Location | Description |
---|---|
Advocates Against Family Violence, Caldwell |
Renovate the playground at Hope Plaza |
City of Jerome |
Purchase pedometers and introduce bicycling activities in the Jerome Recreation District Kids’ Fitness Summer Camp |
City of Shoshone |
Create a nine-hone disc golf course in Mary L. Gooding Memorial Park and a three-hole course at the K-12 school |
Desert Sage Elementary School, Boise |
Rebuild walking path and construct a shade shelter |
Hayden Canyon Charter School, Hayden |
Buy playground equipment, materials for raised garden beds for a new community garden |
Peregrine Elementary School, Meridian |
Purchase and install a kid-friendly, seven-station fitness course |
United Way of Treasure Valley, Boise |
New playground equipment at Sacajawea Elementary School in Caldwell |
Senior Health Grants
Project and Location | Description |
---|---|
Valley Regional Transit, Meridian |
Purchase software for program that takes seniors to healthcare appointments |
Parks Department, City of Emmett |
Purchase 10-station, outdoor fitness park targeting seniors |
Interlink Volunteer Caregivers, Twin Falls |
Expand access to healthcare transportation in the Magic Valley |
Women’s and Children’s Health Grants
Project and Location | Description |
---|---|
City of Lapwai |
Build a splash pad in the city park |
Jannus Inc. Mountain States Early Head Start (grant for Bonner County) |
Create pilot program for prenatal and postpartum moms |
About High Five
High Five is an initiative of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. High Five is a statewide effort that engages Idahoans to reduce childhood obesity. High Five is working with partners and grant-winning cities to promote healthy communities around the state, as well as with legislators through the Steps for Schools Challenge.
More information is available at www.highfiveidaho.org.
About the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc., is a nonprofit charitable foundation established in 2001 by Blue Cross of Idaho. The creation of the Foundation stemmed from our desire to improve the health of all Idahoans through wellness and prevention programs.
More information is available at www.bcidahofoundation.org