BlueCross BlueShield Association Teams Up with the Y for Community Impact Day

BlueCross BlueShield Association is one of the largest providers of health insurance in the nation—and last Friday, May 13, their staff lent vital service and philanthropic support to the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s mission to strengthen children, families, and communities.
 
During Community Impact Day, its company-wide day of service, BlueCross BlueShield Association sent more than 150 of its employees to six of our centers: Irving Park YMCA, Kelly Hall YMCA, Lake View YMCA, McCormick YMCA, Rauner Family YMCA, and South Side YMCA.

Volunteers started their shifts at 10am on a warm, sunny Friday, improving the grounds at each site for Chicago’s communities to enjoy for seasons to come.
 
At the Irving Park YMCA, BlueCross BlueShield Association staff spread river stones and mulch around the building’s landscaping and perimeter.
 
Meanwhile, the McCormick YMCA’s volunteer group built 15 picnic tables to help the center prepare for day camp, which kicks off in June.

The Lake View YMCA gave volunteers the chance to deep clean and sanitize the center’s Kids Zone, ensuring local children have a healthy and safe place to play.
 
Volunteers at the South Side YMCA spread mulch and built picnic tables, contributing to the upkeep of the center’s outdoor gathering spaces.

BlueCross BlueShield Association’s staff volunteers not only helped to beautify each center’s grounds and spruce up key spaces for summer—they made an active investment in time and service to the communities we serve. 
 
And BlueCross BlueShield Association’s contributions didn’t end there. To build upon the impact volunteers made stewarding the Y’s outdoor spaces, the insurance provider contributed $1,500 to each of the above centers, in addition to another $1,000 toward the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s operational sustainability.
 
“One fruitful day can make all the difference—and the BlueCross BlueShield Association’s Community Impact Day proves just that,” said Katie Panning Spieth, Chief Impact Officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “Thanks to more than 150 volunteers’ helping hands, Chicago residents will be able to gather, play, and stay active on their local Y’s well-kept grounds.”