PROVIDENCE – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has chosen 13 nonprofits as recipients of its Blue across Rhode Island day of service.
On Sept. 24, Blue Cross employees will volunteer with each group in an effort to support projects created to enhance the health and well-being of Ocean State residents.
Nonprofits, chosen through an application process earlier this year, also receive $5,000 to help fund their projects.
Blue across Rhode Island, which is in its 10th year, has supplied helping hands to nearly 120 projects across the state.
“Much has changed over the past 10 years, but our commitment to the health and well-being of our Rhode Island communities has remained steadfast. Our associates rise to the occasion time and again to help their fellow Rhode Islanders, who benefit from the essential services these community organizations provide,” said Carolyn Belisle, Blue Cross’ managing director of corporate social responsibility.
This year’s Blue across Rhode Island recipients are:
- 134 Collaborative – Providence: Volunteers to organize a food pantry, and paint and improve spaces that host programs for people whose lives have been impacted by homelessness, food insecurity, mental illness, substance use, social injustice and economic insecurity.
- Amenity Aid – statewide: Volunteers to assemble essential hygiene kits for distribution to street-based outreach programs, shelters and community centers that make them available to clients during meals.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island – Cumberland: Volunteers to help clean and reinvent the Cumberland Clubhouse for youths and teens to come to after school.
- Children’s Friend – virtual project/statewide: Volunteers to assemble no-sew blankets for low-income families with infants and toddlers for the annual “Spirit of Giving” holiday drive.
- Gotta Have Sole Foundation – Cranston: Volunteers to package footwear for children experiencing homelessness and write messages of hope to give them confidence to participate in sports, school and social experiences.
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence – Providence: Volunteers to provide home modifications as part of Habitat PVD’s “Aging in Place” program to reduce fall hazards.
- South County Habitat for Humanity – Washington County: Volunteers to help build a home for a local family.
- Happy Hope Foundation – virtual project/statewide: Volunteers to assemble “Happy Hope Bags” – activity kits for children receiving care at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
- Hope Alzheimer’s Center – Cranston: Volunteers to host a hoe-down for center participants, as well as help give the center a fresh coat of paint and bake cookies for the center’s annual soiree.
- NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley – Pascoag in Burrillville: Volunteers will work with homeowners to install sheet rock and prime and paint at seven houses across the neighborhood as part of a USDA self-help housing program.
- Partnership for Providence Parks, Recs & Streetscapes – Providence: Volunteers to support building an outdoor classroom at Kizirian Elementary School by repairing and restocking the library, installing a park wayfinding map for students and assembling a new Blender Bike to address food equity.
- Playworks New England – Central Falls: Volunteers to refresh the playground at Raices Dual Language Academy, including dynamic game areas and updating old designs and existing paint.
- Riverzedge Arts – Woonsocket: Volunteers to transform a neighborhood green space into a welcoming area for youth participants in the Riverzedge programming and neighbors.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.
