Caring Corps

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA) has long believed that its responsibilities as a corporate citizen include supporting non-profit agencies that respond to the needs of our neighbors throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania. Since most of these organizations rely on committed and caring volunteers to carry out their work, BCNEPA created the Caring Corps Employee Volunteer Program to empower our employees to contribute their time and talents to non-profits throughout our 13-county service area.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania offers eligible full-time employees 15 hours of paid time off per year (pro-rated for part-time employees) to support the work of 501(c)(3) non-profit agencies. The Caring Corps Advisory Board, made up of BCNEPA employees, proactively identifies, promotes, and manages group volunteer opportunities that allow associates to take advantage of their volunteer time off. Projects can range from sorting food and preparing meals at food banks, to providing homework help to kids, to helping clean up local playgrounds and parks.

The impact is unmistakable. During 2007, the Caring Corps organized 35 projects that engaged 843 Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania employee volunteers and resulted in 4,088 hours of service. Using statistics from the Points of Light Foundation, which indicate that every volunteer hour is valued at $18.05, that means our volunteers saved our partnering non-profits close to $73,788 during 2007. And they had fun and enjoyed the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others while doing it.

Non-profits within Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s service area may propose projects for consideration by the Caring Corps Advisory Board. To find out more, call Leigh Ann Wiedlich at 570-200-6302.