The holidays are an important time of year for giving back. For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota associates, volunteering offers one of the best ways to both continue to meet basic community needs and spread holiday cheer.

As we say goodbye to 2022, it’s a good time to look back at some recent opportunities and activities that keep us all connected to the communities we serve.

Warm winter essentials: The basics matter

Kicking off in November 2022, Blue Cross associates once again came together to provide winter essentials for those in need. Through the Heart and Hands volunteer program, nearly 600 handcrafted items for newborns, children, veterans, and their families were donated to the Minnesota Assistance council for Veterans (MAC-V), the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, the American Indian Youth Enrichment (AIYE) Program, and Bundles of Love charity.

Associates also held an annual coat drive for The Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Located in St. Paul, the center provides early learning services, helps families meet basic needs and hosts youth programs and activities for local families. In addition to the many items crafted by the Heart and Hands group, the community center also received donations of 167 coats and 54 blankets.

“We support Hallie Q. Brown’s mission to improve the quality of life in our community by providing access to critical human services,” said Tom Noon, principal financial analyst at Blue Cross. “The annual coat and blanket drive is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and ensure equitable access to essential warm winter items. Our associates really stepped with their donations and their time to make this a fun and meaningful day for everyone.”

Furnishing homes with hope

Bridging provides donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness. By volunteering once a quarter at Bridging, 75 Blue Cross associates help their community by organizing and distributing furniture and other household items needed for those starting a new chapter in a new home.

“I brought my team with me to volunteer and had an amazing and meaningful experience.” said Latashia White, senior provider outreach specialist with Blue Cross. “I enjoyed helping people load their new home furnishings into their cars, and I plan on including my fiancé next time I volunteer at Bridging so he can be part of the magic as well.”

Peace, joy and inclusion

Blue Cross has a long history of collaboration with Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN). During the holidays, several associates volunteered at the Festival of Trees at the Mall of America hosted by SOMN. Visitors can walk through a winter wonderland of extraordinary trees decorated by various local businesses and organizations and can enter a raffle to win ornaments from their chosen tree. “All proceeds from this special event go to help support Special Olympics delegations throughout the state,” said Andrea Gates, senior business systems consultant, long-time Special Olympics coach, and Blue Cross volunteer champion. “The ornament we are holding was created by a SOMN athlete – peace, joy, and inclusion.”

“My brother has special needs and is a Special Olympics athlete,” said Jen Benner, a health solutions clinical product manager for Blue Cross “I’ve seen how much confidence and friendship he gets from participating in Special Olympics. They are an amazing organization that creates an inclusive space for people like him.”

Making connections with kids and seniors

Many families need extra assistance to provide gifts for the holidays, so Blue Cross is pleased to support several holiday drives. Associates in the metro area donated hundreds of toys to Toys for Tots and associates in Northern Minnesota participated in the Salvation Army Giving Tree Toy Drive.

 

Additionally, 113 Blue Cross volunteers partnered with Friends & Co. to support 425 seniors most at risk of not being remembered this holiday season. “The holidays bring a spirit of giving and is the perfect time to seek out ways to make life better for those around us. Many of these elders do not have family or friends that call or visit them,” said Ashlie Lystad, principal national business consultant, and Blue Cross Friends & Co. volunteer champion. “We hope our small acts of kindness brighten their day throughout the year and during the holiday season.”

Warm welcomes and belonging

Starting last year and continuing into 2022, Blue Cross’ community relations team collaborated with a broad group of diverse stakeholders, including nonprofits, Minnesota Department of Human Services, and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, to welcome Afghan families to Minnesota. Volunteering with the Salvation Army, the team helped at the hotel where new families arrived and would stay until suitable housing was secured.

Blue Cross sponsors a quarterly volunteer event with Alight's (formerly American Refugee Committee) Afghan Response Project Lead to help Afghan women acclimate to Minnesota. "This volunteer effort holds a close place in my heart because my parents came to the U.S as refugees more than 30 years ago and had to build a life for themselves from the ground up,” said Asma Anees, employee relations partner at Blue Cross. “Being here today means being able to learn these women’s stories, share common ground, and give them hope that they will thrive too- bringing me the greatest joy.”