The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation continues its work with a number of non-profit organizations focused on improving the health of communities across New Hampshire.

With a focus on heart health, cancer prevention, prenatal care, diabetes prevention, active lifestyles and behavioral health, the Foundation teamed with organizations that set the standard when it comes to implementing innovative programs that offer long term solutions to complex problems. The Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, invested about $1 million in local organizations throughout 2016, while employees devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to directly assist non-profits dedicated to strengthening the community and working to build a healthier future.

“New Hampshire is one of the healthiest states in the nation, and it’s important we continue to work together to keep Granite Staters healthy. We’re proud of the support we have been able to give non-profits that are working to improve the health of our communities and improve the lives of the people of our state,” said Lisa Guertin, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We look forward to strengthening existing relationships and continuing to support the work of some tremendous organizations.”

Support from the Foundation is working to take on some of the most challenging health-related issues in New Hampshire, including the opioid epidemic, while also encouraging young people to develop lifelong healthy habits. A quick look at some of the impact the Foundation has made includes:

  • Granite United Way: The foundation provided a $75,000 grant to support the Safe Station program in the city of Manchester. Safe Station allows anyone seeking assistance with a substance use disorder to gain access to treatment by going to one of the city’s 10 fire stations. In the first nine months of operation, Safe Station took in over 1,000 people seeking assistance and provided a critical bridge to treatment. The foundation’s grant will support Safe Station in 2017 and also allow for the expansion of a prevention program aimed at the city’s youth.
  • Farnum Center/Easterseals NH: Anthem was again the presenting sponsor of the Farnum Center’s “Spirit of Hope” event, designed to raise awareness about substance abuse and to help fund treatment options for those in need in New Hampshire.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Manchester: Donated 250 pairs of running sneakers to engage kids in healthy, active lifestyles.
  • Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL): Presenting sponsor of the annual Footrace for the Fallen, with all proceeds supporting MPAL, an after school athletic program to foster and maintain positive relationships between the youth of the Greater Manchester area and members of the Manchester Police department.
  • Granite YMCA: Provided a $50,000 grant to sustain LIVESTRONG, a small group, instructor-led program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their well-being following a cancer diagnosis. Anthem also provided a $50,000 start-up grant for the program in 2015.

In addition to support given directly to these organizations, Anthem associates turned their volunteer hours into contributions for the eligible charities they support through our Dollars for Doers program. In 2016, our associates donated more than 1,200 hours of their time which generated more than $8,000 in much-needed grants for local non-profits across New Hampshire. And supported by a Foundation match, associates’ contributions made through the company’s year-round Associate Giving Program generated more than $80,000 for local charities.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s Associate Giving program which provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.