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BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF RHODE ISLAND

BlueAngel Community Outreach is the name of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) community outreach program, which encompasses employee volunteerism as well as employee and corporate giving. As a health insurer serving only Rhode Island, we focus our volunteer activities on health-related projects that specifically benefit people in our state. Our BlueAngel program is centered on several core projects and included many more individual activities.

Every April, Rebuilding Together matches teams of volunteers with local families, schools, and nonprofit organizations whose homes or building are in need of repair. BCBSRI has sponsored one or more locations each year for nine years, providing supplies and volunteers to transform these building into better places to live and work. In 2002, 181 BCBSRI volunteers renovated the Holy Ghost School in Providence.

The American Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s major annual fundraising event. BCBSRI President and CEO, Ronald Battista, was the chairman of the event committee in 2002 and 2003, and in 2002, the BCBSRI team included more than 500 volunteer walked who helped raise more than $60,000.

BCBSRI has “adopted” West Broadway Elementary School, a nearby school that serves many children from low-income families. BCBSRI works with school administrators to design activities for the students that are educational, such as an annual health fair and the school newsletter, as well as activities that are just for fun, such as an annual Ice Cream Day. BCBSRI employees are conducting Project Cover-up, a program that provides a hat and mittens for every student in the school each year.

Good health is a basic need shared by everyone. BCBSRI recognizes that due to a variety of circumstances, some of which are preventable, not everyone enjoys good health. BCBSRI believes this is a serious problem that must be address, and thus prioritizes the major health issues using data from the Centers for Disease Control and the local Department of Health. Nearly all of BCBSRI’s employee volunteer activities are focused on health-related projects.

SUSAN FISCHER

Friends of the Children – Portland is a nonprofit mentoring service that caters to at risk youth. Susan Fischer is passionately dedicated to the children served by Friends. She uses her artistic talents to reach out to the youth at Friends. During the last three years, Ms. Fisher has used the weekly sewing groups that she develops and runs to teach the children useful skills and to develop lasting, caring and committed relationships with those who attend.

Those involved in Ms. Fischer’s group have gained much from her dedicated efforts to connect with them. They have developed meaningful friendships with her and see her as someone they can look up to. This is important to the children in the program because many of them lack positive role models in their lives. In Ms. Fischer, the children see an example of a talented and successful woman who is dedicated to helping those in need. One of her eighth graders thinks of sunflowers on a sunny; day when she thinks of Ms. Fischer. This young lady believes all her love and compassion shines through to others.

Ms. Fischer’s connection with the children makes her acutely aware of the reality of their home lives, and she always keeps their special needs in mind. She teaches them skills to provide resources for themselves and their families, coordinating fun sewing projects that culminate in the development of something useful, whether it is school bags, clothing or other necessities. Ms. Fischer also recognizes each child’s incredible potential and keeps her expectations high. Knowing what she expects of them helps the children to set high standards for themselves and believe in their ability to live up to the.

Through the relationships that she forms in her groups, Ms. Fischer is able to offer the emotional support and nurturing that the children at Friends need and deserve but often do not receive at home. She makes each child feel special, important and nurtured through praising hard work and creativity. She is also a listener and readily available to help the children find their own solutions to problems. Ms. Fischer models healthy relationships by giving of herself generously while setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries with the children. In addition, many of the children that Ms. Fischer has mentored through Friends go on to be mentors for others to give back what was given to them.

GOLDEN RULE FOUNDATION

When children were asked, “What is Philanthropy?” the majority responded that it is a disease, and that community service is something that is given to bad people as a punishment. Unlike previous generations, children are not being taught the lesson of giving to others. Unwittingly, we are creating a future generation of leaders void of this concept¼until now.

The Golden Rule Foundation’s (GRF) mission is “to inspire children to give to others” and does so by providing a hands-on, Service-Learning program for elementary-aged children. Last year alone, GRF spearheaded 92 service-learning projects at 44 elementary schools across Central Florida. As a result, more than 3,000 children had the opportunity to reach out and help others while simultaneously understanding the role they are capable of playing in their own communities.

GRF implements age-appropriate community service projects derived from the expressed needs of other area nonprofit organizations so that the true needs of the community are being met. The projects may arise from the needs of the sick, the underprivileged, and the disabled or involve beautification efforts. The Foundation provides all necessary funds, supplies and transportation needed for each project. All projects are completed as a class, during school hours, throughout the school year.

The GRF program helps children connect with their community in a myriad of meaningful ways. First, mentors assist children with their service projects. These adult volunteers serve as a visible reminder to the children that the volunteer efforts they are starting now can turn into a passion for volunteering when they grow older. Second, the children cultivate relationships with the adults in the charities they choose to support. Last, GRF projects strengthen family relationships. By being involved in a service project during the day, it opens up profound dialogue between the kids and their parents. Children involved in our program indicated that after doing a Golden Rule project, they took their own parents back to where they had visited, so that their parents could experience for themselves the joy, pride and bolstered self-esteem one receives when helping those less fortunate.

The GRF program supports the state mandate to teach Character Education and brings to life such concepts as “Giving,” “Caring,” “Respect” & “Citizenship.” The Golden Rule Foundation is the only agency in Central Florida offering the opportunity for children to be involved in service projects during school hours as part of their lesson plan. This ensures 100% of the students have the opportunity to participate and does not single out “latchkey” children who are not able to attend after school programs. Studies have shown that service learning has a dramatic effect on raising test scores, increasing attendance, and lowering the incidence of harmful behaviors such as drug use, teen pregnancy and teen suicide.

PASTOR DR. DONALD D. FORD

In 1978, Pastor Dr. Donald D. Ford established Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC), the first predominantly black church in south Kansas City, Missouri. SMBC, which now boasts a membership of more than 2,000, started with only four members and held the first worship service in the lower level of a bank. Pastor Dr. Ford is also the co-founder of four other churches, in addition to the Joel Ecclesiastical School of Preparation, a finishing and practicum institution for persons called to ministry work or in need of Bible training.

Pastor Dr. Ford and SMBC reach out to the community through Touch of Grace Ministries, an initiative that includes a sports association with basketball and softball teams, a drill team, drama guild, and adult and youth praise dancers. However, Pastor Dr. Ford’s commitment to the Kansas City community does not end with his church ministry. As a personal goal, Pastor Dr. Ford strives to give back, or “tithe,” at least 10% of his time weekly in volunteer efforts, which equates to approximately 72-75 hours per month.

The many programs and initiatives that are in place as a result of Pastor Dr. Ford’s community outreach are evidence of the depth of his passion for motivating and encouraging youth. Pastor Dr. Ford’s accomplishments include:

  • Created and given leadership to the “Youth in a World of Pressure” program, which nurtures and encourages youth to reach their full potential and involves parent participation;
  • Established SMBC as a Kansas City Promise site and received national recognition by America’s Promise as one of the outstanding model sites in the country;
  • Engaged SMBC as a participating sponsor site for Freedom School in 2003 and again in 2004 (one of only nine sites in Greater Kansas City to be selected by the Children’s Defense Fund);
  • Organized the Jackson County Family Court Image Makers ministry to provide mentoring and outreach to youth in the juvenile justice system;
  • Served as former staff chaplain of Jackson County Juvenile Court;
  • Mentored Ruskin High School students in the Hickman Mills School District; and
  • Established the Windsteppers Track Team more than 15 years ago and, as one of only a few churches that sponsor a track team in the Junior Athletic Association Union, led the team to qualification in national competitions all 15 years.

Pastor Dr. Ford currently serves as a coach for a co-ed youth basketball team and participates with Vineyard Keepers, a youth entrepreneurial lawn care service. He continues his 26-year commitment to helping those in need, especially youth, to find solutions to problems they are facing. Numerous children have benefited from participation in Pastor Dr. Ford’s ministries and programs. He is willing to go the extra mile for those in need – preparing and serving meals, mowing lawns, reading to playgroups, coaching, counseling, visiting the elderly and shut-in – and he is always available and eager to serve his neighbors.

NIKE, INC.

Nike, Inc. has 23,000 employees globally. Nike is committed to employee volunteerism throughout every level of the company. Nike’s employee volunteer program is structured to allow employees the greatest possible choice and incentive to donate their time to nonprofit community organizations that are important to them. Volunteer activities are a part of Nike’s Community Investment budget, which has increased due to higher levels of employee volunteerism. Last year the company contributed $3 million to match employee volunteer hours and charitable contributions – an increase of 38 percent from the previous year.

The NikeGO Employee Program helps inspire kids ages 8-15 to get more active and more healthy. 60 Nike departments donated more than 10,000 volunteer hours in the first year. Nike employees taught physical education classes, beautified playgrounds, assembled playground equipment, organized walking and baseball clubs and a Recess Buddies program, and much more.

For Nike’s Fifth Annual U.S. Community Involvement Day, more than 1,300 Nike employees volunteered at 48 locations in Portland, Memphis, Los Angeles and New York. Employees donated a total of 6,500 hours, which Nike matched with a corporate donation of $65,000, in conjunction with Hands On Portland and Volunteers of America, Oregon.

Oregon is consistently ranked the hungriest state in the country so Nike employees rallied around the Oregon Food Bank to help. Nike helps fight hunger by sponsoring more than 190 families. In the past year, Nike’s participation in this program increased by more than 300 percent involving 120 departments. Working with the company’s food service department, Nike donated 1.2 tons of food to the Oregon Food Bank’s homeless programs.

Involvement in the community is one of the ways Nike shows our commitment. Nike’s leadership team continually stresses the importance of giving back to communities and leads by example. For instance, Phil Knight talks to employees at quarterly meetings about the pride he has for what employees are doing in communities around the world; our CFO did landscaping for eight hours at Nike’s Habitat for Humanity project and led a team during the annual U.S. Community Involvement Day and the President of the Nike Brand helped paint murals at a center for kids with HIV.

AMERICAN RED CROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA YOUTH CORPS

The American Red Cross (ARC) Southwest Florida (SWF) Youth Corps has supported their local soldiers and their families locally and overseas from the start of the war to the present. The ARC SWF Youth Corps members range from ages 12 to 18. They have more than 40 members, and they were formed in 2003. The Youth Corps supports the SWF Chapter’s activities and embrace the community projects and disaster relief with vigor. They have worked on projects throughout the year to assist the troops and their families as well as communities in southwest Florida.

The Youth Corps has raised funds to ship comfort packages overseas to deployed troops. On several Saturdays, this team assisted elderly women in their homes by working in their yards. The members are also active in distributing disaster-preparedness literature at fairs and expos sponsored by the community. They have also marched alongside the Red Cross flag with disaster volunteers in local parades as proud members of the ARC.

The Youth Corps members are flourishing with their training in disaster relief. They have also gained knowledge in lifesaving skills and guidance in team building as well as leadership skills. They do all this while meeting or exceeding their educational goals through their schools.

Floodwaters threatened southwest Florida last June and the Youth Corp quickly opened a shelter in Sarasota County for displaced residents fleeing high waters. Then, as rains continued to pound and 11-county area of the SWF region, causing widespread flooding; a need for immediate expanded disaster assistance was apparent. A national Disaster Relief operation was quickly set up at the SWF Chapter headquarters. More than 10,000 meals and snacks were distributed to flood victims and emergency workers. The severe effects of the floods were felt for more than two weeks. SWF Chapter volunteers continued offering assistance to residents with disaster-caused needs well into October. The cost of the operation exceeded $100,000. Because of their tireless effort and dedication, national Red Cross volunteers who came to Florida to help with the flood disaster in June dubbed the SWF Youth Corps “the A-Team”.

Under the direction of volunteer Bill Sullivan, the Youth Corps wash cars to raise money for their Operation Happy Holidays program. For 15 years, the Knitters and Sewers group has gathered each Tuesday morning to knit, sew and crochet items for various projects. They cheerfully sewed 200 camouflage stockings for Operation Happy Holidays that were sent to the sons and daughters of those serving as well as their comrades. The efforts of the Youth Corp mesh with the work of the ARC SWF members to meet the needs of community members in Sarasota, Florida.

KATHY HUNT

Kathy Hunt is in a Texas coastal community of about 15, 000 people. She is active with the Chamber of Commerce, Don’t Be Crude, Victoria Public School System and the YMCA of the Golden Crescent. Ms. Hunt is very hands-on and does not believe any job is too small or too large for her. She coordinates hundreds of youth in a community-wide effort consisting of more than 30 projects. She makes sure all the building materials needed for the projects are on site and ready to use. You may also see her in the heat encouraging, delivering water and swinging a hammer so youth can learn to give back to the community. Ms. Hunt sets the example, does the work and lives an “others-oriented” life.

For the past three years, Ms. Hunt has served on the Greater Victoria Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She also actively participates on the Chamber’s Education Committee. She fully understands the connection between education and economic development and is always ready to support efforts to advance both. This is evident as she consistently and effectively integrates her professional role with that of a public servant. She willingly donates her time and business savvy to the educational advancement of Victoria.

She is also a board member of Don’t Be Crude, a youth led grassroots environmental program in Victoria and the seven surrounding counties. Each of the youth in the program look at Ms. Hunt as a mentor, friend and advisor. As a result of her work with the program, the Victoria youth became involved in the area’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Day when millions of pounds of hazardous waste are collected. Ms. Hunt coordinates a team of 100 volunteers, environmental professionals and corporations for this event in two cities.

Ms. Hunt is also active with the Victoria Public School System. She puts in many hours of service working on school improvement committees and was also a member of the Board. Ms. Hunt was an integral part in the planning stages for the largest bond election in Victoria County’s history; her input and attention to detail aided to promote passage of the bond. In addition, the school district embarked on a study of how to provide equal and exceptional opportunities for all students in the two Victoria high schools. Ms. Hunt studied the issue and came to the conclusion that consolidating the two schools because one offered greater academic opportunities for students than the other. This was a difficult decision and her vote was met with disagreement. Ms. Hunt stood firm in her belief on behalf of equal opportunities for all children; however, her convictions caused her to be defeated in her re-election bid.

Ms. Hunt no longer serves on the school board, but she is still active with the children of Victoria, the Golden Crescent Workforce Development Board and the Communities in Schools Program. She is a tireless advocate for children and a beacon in a community.

BAILLIE LOCKE

Baillie Locke found out a lot about Down’s Syndrome first hand. A young lady in her school, Tiffany, lives with the disorder and Baillie noticed her each day during classes. Because of her compassion for this young lady, Ballie chose to do community service with the Bruce Peninsula Association for Community Living.

The Association helps out those who are mentally challenged. Ballie began to connect with Tiffany and learn and become more familiar with Down’s Syndrome. She also learned what special needs persons may have and how she can help them and others. Because of Ballie’s concern for Tiffany, the entire school became more aware of Tiffany, Down’s Syndrome and what they could do as an educational community to serve those with Down’s Syndrome.

Ballie and Tiffany developed a relationship and soon became friends. Ballie became better acquainted with Tiffany’s everyday life and all of the challenges and victories she experiences on a normal basis. Tiffany appreciated the help and recognition; but she most was excited about having a new friend in Ballie. Tiffany was excited that Ballie accepted her for who she was and applauded her abilities and differences.

Ballie then decided to branch out and help others with similar needs. She presented herself to Community Living and helped to produce a fun program that would raise money to improve their programs for the mentally challenged. As a result of Ballie’s concern and efforts, Community Living now hosts a trail ride annually as a fundraiser. Those with horses are welcome to come with their horse and pledges. Since Community Living clients cannot ride their own horse, horse drawn wagons are brought in so that they can ride. After the trail ride, everyone who raised money for Community Living participates in a barbecue lunch. There is also a time to distribute prizes that are donated by the community. Ballie is responsible for organizing the event and making sure everything runs smoothly during the event. During the day of the event she brings her horse around to the cleints so they can pet and enjoy the company of a horse.

For the past five years this event has been held, Ballie has raised approximately $8,000 per year for this organization. Most of this money goes into a fund that will pay for a new home to be built for a mentally challenged child that has been given up by hteir family because the family may not have the money or knowledge to make sure the child is properly cared for. This year’s money is going toward training an adult volunteer to live with and care for a children who has been given up because they have seizures and aggressive attacks. The house as well has to be modified so that it is safe for the child and so that he will not hurt himself.

Ballie plans to continue her service with the organization. She is pleased to be a part of the effort that makes those who society may look at as “different” just like everyone else and a part of something fun and exciting. Next year, she hopes to also be a part of the torch run that also is a fundraising for Community Living.

BLIND FOUNDATION FOR INDIA

Dr. Rajendra Vyas, founder of the National Association for the Blind, India visited Chicago in 1988. Dr. Vyas shared the information that there are 13 million blind people in India, which accounts for 1/3 of the world’s blind population. To help those blind people in India, Dr. Manu Vora established the Blind Foundation for India (BFI) in 1989. BFI was created to prevent and cure blindness and provide education and rehabilitation to permanently blind people in India.

They target the youngest child who could lose eyesight by the ages of five and six. The BFI offers measles vaccinations and an oral Vitamin A dose every six months. BFI also has 67 mobile vans in the field that carry ophthalmologists from various medical centers to the villages. The doctors then conduct eyesight checks, and those patients in need of operations are transported by the vans to the hospital.

In addition to the prevention and cure, BFI provides education. There are an estimated two million blind children in India, and only 5% of them receive any education. BFI provides a Braille kit, which helps them to learn along with other sighted children. BFI also provides rehabilitation and mentors patients who have eye operations. They provide the proper training to make them able to return to their normal day-to-day activities.

BFI has had a tremendous impact since its inception. In excess of 60,000 children have been vaccinated against measles and given Vitamin A to save their eyesight. More than 60,000 have had their sight restored as a result of cataract removal, and an excess of One Million people have been treated through BFI sponsored Free Eye Camps. Children in all States of India have received 6,000 Braille kits and support has also been provided for training blind adults. In addition, blind men and women are trained so they can work and be productive citizens.

Since 2000, BFI has teamed up with Rotary International on five “Matching Grant” projects for eye hospital equipments. Rotary plays the significant role in multiplying donations by a factor of three. An additional six projects on “Preventable Blindness” were carried out with Matching Grants from Rotary International, and due to the donations and volunteer efforts, a cataract operation costs about $20.

BFI has been changing lives since 1989. They have no paid staff; volunteers solely run them. The dedicated servants have successfully raised $2 million to date for its work to continue to change lives around the world. For more information on BFI, visit: http://www.blindfoundation.org

EDITH BUSH

Edith Bush is extremely active in the West Palm Beach, Florida community. Her service activities include but are not limited to the following: Chairperson of the Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee, President of the Progressive Northwest Neighborhood Association, volunteers annually with the Florida Coalition for peace & Justice PEACE CAMP, provide monthly food distribution to senior citizens through Martin Luther King Caregivers, volunteers with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren as well as being the volunteer Chairperson of the Community Court’s Citizen Advisory Board.

The outskirts of downtown West Palm Beach, also known as the Week and Seed area, has more than 20,000 residents. Demographics for the area reflect a high poverty and unemployment rate. The physical characteristics of the community are striking, with deteriorating houses and businesses, vacant lots and litter. Arrest statistics for the area reflect a high level of quality-of-life victimless crimes; however the neighborhood is the victim of offenses such as prostitution, graffiti and vandalism, gambling, trespassing and open-air drug solicitation and sales.

Residents from this community became frustrated with the epidemic of quality of life offenses and the limited consequences imposed following an arrest. They commonly felt they had no stake in the production of justice. As a result, Community Court was established. Community Court addresses these low-level, non-violent misdemeanor crimes. Community Court and the Citizen Advisory Board are innovative and unique approaches to solving serious social problems in the West Palm Beach Weed and Seed areas. The Citizens Advisory Board was established in 1998 and its mission is to ensure continuous citizen input, provide valuable feedback to the Court about community conditions and assist in providing a continuum of community service sanctions for neighborhood revitalization.

The Court emphasizes community service sanctions rather than fines or incarceration. The goal is for those who harm the community to give back to that same community through service. Defendants are assigned community service to help clean up the neighborhood in which they offended. As Chairperson of the Community Court’s Citizen Advisory Board, Ms. Bush is very active in making the Weed and Seed area a better more inhabitable place to live. These clean up projects help offenders to become more connected to the larger community and lead more productive lives.

Community Court, with the direction of the Citizen’s Advisory Board led by Ms. Bush, has greatly impacted the community in the last five years. Numerous revitalization projects have occurred, neighborhood associations have formed, citizens clean up crews have been created and citizens once offending the community are now vital parts of their neighborhood.