SAN FRANCISCO (August 1, 2018) – Blue Shield of California today announced its support for local wildfire vicitims through a series of donations from the nonprofit health plan, the Blue Shield of California Foundation and Blue Shield employees totaling nearly $60,000.
“We are dedicated to making sure our members have access to health plan services when the worst happens,” said Kimberley Goode, senior vice president, external affairs. “Despite being impacted by the Carr Fire, our employees in the area continue to provide compassionate service to our members. They are a model to us all at Blue Shield. We will continue to support our members, our employees, our providers and the community as they begin the recovery process.”
The nearly $60,000 combined donation includes $25,000 to the United Way of Northern California from Blue Shield, nearly $10,000 from employee and company match donations to the Red Cross, and a $25,000 donation by the Blue Shield of California Foundation to the Shasta Regional Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund.
“As our neighbors in Redding face tremendous devastation from the Carr Fire, we know that the fabric of their community is strong enough to withstand even the most dire hardship,” said Peter Long, president and CEO, Blue Shield of California Foundation. “We stand with the people of Redding and offer our support as they battle the fire and begin to rebuild their vibrant community.”
“United Way is extremely grateful for this gift, which will help us deliver emergency cash to residents and vital 2-1-1 services to the community. Blue Shield and its employees are an integral part of our community in Redding and the North State,” said Larry Olmstead, president and CEO, United Way of Northern California. “I am pleased – but not surprised – to know that all of us can count on Blue Shield’s leadership and support as we meet the challenge of this unprecedented fire emergency.”
We will continue to monitor activity and may make further adjustments to continue to best serve our members.
For Cal Fire’s latest information on California wildfires and evacuations, click here.
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About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a health care system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable. We are a not for profit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with care for four million members, 6,800 employees and more than $17 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities.
For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit www.news.blueshieldca.com.
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