Capital BlueCross Annual Secret Santa Program Provides 600 Gifts for Local Children in Need
HARRISBURG, Pa., December 8, 2016 /3BL Media/ -- Capital BlueCross employees today packed up hundreds of gifts to send to children in need this holiday season. The company's annual "Secret Santa" program provides gifts to children, from infants to teenagers, who otherwise may not have something under the tree.
Capital BlueCross' Secret Santa program, now in its 28th year, has brought gifts to nearly 35,000 children since its inception. The company's employees choose gift tags with a child's first name, age and wish list. They purchase gifts or donate into a pool of money that employee volunteers use to do the shopping. Participation in the program is voluntary.
Secret Santa helps children in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Perry and York counties. The following organizations partner with Capital BlueCross to connect families to the program and make the gift deliveries:
- Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth
- Cumberland County Children and Youth
- Lancaster County Children and Youth Agency
- Perry County Family Center, Inc.
- The Salvation Army, Harrisburg Capital City Region
- York County Office of Children, Youth and Families
"During this season of giving, all of us at Capital BlueCross are proud to help local families in need have a joyous holiday," said Gary D. St. Hilaire, president and CEO of Capital BlueCross. "The Secret Santa program is something our employees look forward to every year. They give their own time and money to provide gifts for hundreds of children. It is a special program that truly embodies the holiday spirit and reflects the passion of our employees in giving back to our community."
"The holiday season can be a particularly tough time for children and families who are struggling and in need," said Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III. "Thank you to Capital BlueCross employees for giving so much to help children and families in the region. We are truly humbled by this generous donation."
Capital BlueCross employees in the Lehigh Valley also are collecting gifts for families in need, as well as Pennsylvanians serving in our military overseas. The benefiting organizations include:
- The Children's Home of Easton: Two dozen children, ages 11 to 21, will receive gifts from Capital BlueCross employees. The non-profit agency helps children from troubled homes.
- The Keystone Military Families: Packages filled with items such as cookies, crackers, lip balm, hand sanitizer, sunscreen and DVDs will be sent to military personnel serving in the Middle East and Korea.
- The Coco Foundation: Gifts will be provided to children and families in the Lehigh Valley impacted by pediatric cancer.
In addition to its Secret Santa program, Capital BlueCross embraces the spirit of corporate and community giving throughout the year, supporting charities and community organizations in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.
About Capital BlueCross
Capital BlueCross, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., is the leading health solutions and insurance company in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. A partner in the community's health for nearly 80 years, Capital BlueCross offers health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind to consumers and promote health and wellness for our customers.
More than a health insurer, the company delivers innovative solutions through a family of diversified businesses that is creating a healthier future and lowering health care costs. Among these solutions are patient-focused care models, leading-edge data analytics, and digital health technologies. Additionally, Capital BlueCross is growing a network of Capital Blue stores that provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit capbluecross.com.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for 107 million members members – one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog, for up-to-date information about BCBSA.
