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Wellmark employees volunteered 36,000 hours last year Matching gifts and recognition grants total $1.2 million

March 19, 2015

DES MOINES, IA — Wellmark employees continued to demonstrate their commitment to community involvement and social responsibility by selflessly dedicating their time to nonprofit causes and community events again in 2014 through the BluesCare GivingSM program. Cumulatively, nearly 36,000 volunteer hours were logged. The Wellmark Foundation, through matching gifts and recognition grants of Wellmark employee volunteer time, gave more than $1.2 million.

"Our employees are not only dedicated to serving our members in Iowa and South Dakota, but they continue to give their time, talents and financial contributions to the communities we serve outside of normal business hours," said John Forsyth, Wellmark chairman and chief executive officer. "I am extremely proud to work with such a committed group of people."

Under the BluesCare Giving program, when a Wellmark employee accumulates a minimum of eight hours of volunteer time with qualifying nonprofit organizations, the employee has the ability to make gift donations to nonprofits of their choice, as a recognition of their volunteerism. The Wellmark Foundation also matches employee’s personal gifts to nonprofit organizations.

Iowa and South Dakota tie for seventh in percentage of population that volunteers the most according to Volunteering in America and Corporation of National & Community ServiceExternal Site. The BluesCare Giving program participation exemplifies this volunteer spirit.

The top five organizations where employees volunteered in 2014 included:

  • Boy Scouts of America in Iowa and South Dakota
  • Safe Home Rescue
  • Little League teams in Iowa and South Dakota
  • Des Moines Area Religious Council Emergency Food Pantry
  • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

"Last year was a banner year in blood cancer research and the contributions from Wellmark employees and The Wellmark Foundation made it happen," said Melanie Brown, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Iowa Chapter executive director. "With your support, LLS funded more than 350 research projects worldwide and passed the $1 billion mark in blood cancer research investment."

Since 2011, more than 166,000 hours have been logged by employees and $4.4 million has been distributed to hundreds of nonprofits.

"Our employees share our sense of corporate social responsibility and are vital to supporting our local communities," Forsyth said. "I’m very proud that employees continue to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to share their energy and passion with nonprofits that are most meaningful to them and their families."

For more information on BluesCare Giving, please visit www.wellmark.com/giving.

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