Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) will celebrate its 75-year legacy of community partnership and support with its second annual company-wide Service Day. On September 25, more than 3,000 BCBSMA employees, known as BlueCrew volunteers, will fan out across the state with the goal of providing 16,000 volunteer hours to 29 schools, parks, and other community organizations all on one day.
One of the 29 Service Day events will take place at the Dever-McCormack K-8 School in Dorchester. Playworks Boston will partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to make enhancements to the playground, paint murals, and staff an organized recess with the kids. Playworks is the only nonprofit organization in the country to send enthusiastic, trained adult program coordinators into low-income schools to get students active and engaged at recess so they can return to the classroom focused and ready to learn.
Mayor Menino will participate at recess at 11:30 a.m. along with President and CEO of BCBSMA Andrew Dreyfus and Executive Director Max Fripp of Playworks. Armed with balls, cones, jump ropes and enthusiasm, they will use traditional playground games, while modeling positive sporting behavior, to engage the students at the Dever McCormack K-8 School.
“Blue Cross and Playworks are helping to create a safe and fun school environment for kids in Boston,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston. “I am excited to be part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts annual Service Day for the second year in a row. The volunteer efforts of organizations like Blue Cross and Playworks are integral to making the communities of Massachusetts a better place to work, live, play and learn.”
“Mayor Menino and BCBSMA are great partners. We’re honored to host them and the BlueCrew volunteers at the Dever McCormack K-8 School.” said Max Fripp, executivedDirector of Playworks Boston. “Our work and results align perfectly with Blue Cross Blue Shield’s vision to help children thrive, learn and lead healthy and engaged lives. By focusing on building students’ social and emotional skills through recess and play, we are creating a positive and healthy school community.”
“For 75 years we’ve been committed to playing a leadership role in the community,” said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO. “Service Day gives our associates and our community partners the opportunity to come together in a common purpose to make a difference across Massachusetts. It’s a privilege to serve with the Mayor and Playworks Boston at the Dever-McCormack K-8 School.”
