Blue Shield of California and KaBOOM! employees took a recess from work Thursday to rebuild and beautify a playground for Yu Ming Charter School’s kids in Oakland.
More than 100 Blue Shield of California and KaBOOM! volunteers participated in different projects such as painting picnic tables and hop scotch patterns on the asphalt, building benches for kids to sit on and monkey bars to climb on. KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America.
“I couldn’t be more proud of everything that you have done today, what a great physical example of living our mission and being a part of a community,” said Blue Shield president and CEO Paul Markovich. “Thank you everyone from Blue Shield of California for taking the time and making us proud today, thank you!”
Added KaBoom! CEO, James Siegal, “I can’t thank Blue Shield enough for opening your hearts and showing your commitment by rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done to ensure that all kids have the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy”
Blue Shield of California provides employees three paid work days for volunteer time to give back to the communities we serve. Employees embrace the benefit with enthusiasm. In 2018, Blue Shield employees recorded a staggering 34,000 hour of volunteer time – enough work days to add up to 16 years.
The effort to re-build Yu Ming Charter School yard, located at 675 41st St. also is part of Blue Shield’s #80forOakland campaign. The company is moving its corporate headquarters to Oakland from San Francisco this fall after 80 years.
The campaign is an ambitious effort to schedule more than 80 events and engagements in Oakland designed to help Blue Shield employees learn more about Oakland and have Oakland residents learn more about Blue Shield.
Last week, for example, Blue Shield sponsored Oakland Parks and Recreation department’s Town Camp program for up 4,000 kids across the city and volunteers supported Town Camp’s mini Olympics.
“Thank you, Blue Shield of California, and KaBOOM! volunteers for opening your hearts. Together we put fun back in the local Oakland neighborhood for kids,” said Don Campbell, Blue Shield’s vice president of communications.
