Employees Devote Their Saturday to Serve 28 Nonprofits

On April 27, 2019, more than 300 BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina employees could have done most anything with their Saturday morning. They could have done yard work, spent time with their children, traveled to a new city or relaxed at home. Instead, they chose to dedicate 1,300 volunteer hours to 28 nonprofit organizations across South Carolina as part of the company’s first Fearless Day of Service.

Employees provided hands-on services such as beautification, cooking, landscaping and painting, as well as skills-based services, which included marketing and social media consultations.

Whether it was sorting cans at the Lowcountry Food Bank, cleaning air filters at the Pee Dee Coalition or cooking breakfast at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Columbia and Greenville, volunteers made a difference in all corners of the state. Many of them bravely walked into their project without knowing anyone, but they left with a group of new friends.

Volunteers in Columbia came together after their service to celebrate at the South Carolina State Museum. They ate lunch, took pictures and reflected on their morning’s experiences. Scott Graves, president of the BlueCross BlueShield division, praised not only the hard work he witnessed while building a boardwalk at the Palmetto Trail, but also volunteers at other sites around the Midlands.

Christina Atkinson, a release coordinator in the Release Services Department, said, “I enjoyed the opportunity to support my community while also getting to know other employees I wouldn't have otherwise met.” Atkinson picked up 40 bags of trash along Percival Road with a group of 16 volunteers, and she was one of many to express appreciation for the chance to meet other employees.

A staff member from River’s Edge Retreat said, “The BlueCross volunteers were the hardest working group I have ever seen, and they helped create a wonderful space for our summer campers.” Volunteers at River’s Edge landscaped, cleaned and decorated a building that will be an art studio for 100 homeless, disadvantaged and at-risk children.

The inaugural Fearless Day of Service found everyone showing up with confidence, taking initiative on their projects and fighting to fix challenges facing our community. April 27 proved to be a fearless day when BlueCross employees worked together as a force for good across South Carolina.