March 1, 2018
Sioux Falls, SD — Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota employees helped build stronger communities by sharing their time, talents and gifts through The Wellmark Foundation's BlueCare GivingSM program. Employees logged nearly 2,000 volunteer hours to a variety of qualified nonprofit organizations. The Wellmark Foundation matched these efforts resulting in contributions of more than $109,750 to nonprofits across the state.
"Thanks to The Wellmark Foundation's BluesCare Giving program, almost 70 individuals in South Dakota were able to have 1 meal a day for a year and 33 children will be provided a weekend food package for each weekend of the school year," said Matt Gassen, CEO of Feeding South Dakota. "Beyond the monetary donation, we are also grateful for the Wellmark employees who continue to volunteer their time to help us fulfill our mission. We are very appreciative of the support we’ve received over the years from The Wellmark Foundation."
Through the BluesCare Giving program, Wellmark employees who volunteer their time have the opportunity to choose a nonprofit organization to be the recipient of matching gifts from The Wellmark Foundation. More than 84 organizations throughout South Dakota received funding this year.
The top-five South Dakota organizations that received funding from The Wellmark Foundation's BluesCare Giving program included:
- West Central High School
- Challenge Center School – Sioux Falls School District
- South Dakota State University Foundation
- Legends of Gold Inc. Training Facility
- Cavalier King Charles Club Rescue Inc.
Since 2012, more than $800,000 has been distributed to nonprofit organizations in South Dakota under The Wellmark Foundation BluesCare Giving program.
