Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Gives $960,000 in Charitable Donations

CHICAGO, July 9 BCBSIL-donations


Blue Cross continues to support medical care for the uninsured, human services, and education organizations in Illinois



CHICAGO, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) recently gave $960,000 in grants to 83 501(c)3 organizations in Illinois. In line with its mission, "to promote the health and wellness of our members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care," BCBSIL's giving focused mostly on community-based organizations that provide hands-on health services to the uninsured.  BCBSIL also funded programs that provide human services and education to underserved communities in the state, as well as arts organizations. This was the first of two grant cycles that BCBSIL holds annually.



In addition, BCBSIL donated $90,000 in credits toward IBM Certified Used Equipment to 28 local nonprofits in collaboration with IBM. The non-profits used this "credit" to obtain needed laptops, desktops and monitors. 



"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is proud to support health and other much-needed services for those who may not have access otherwise," said Clarita Santos, director of Community Health Initiatives at BCBSIL. "We have targeted many public health organizations that are making a real difference in communities, and we also are supporting programs that promote child health and wellness."



For more information about BCBSIL's charitable giving programs, contact Jennifer Tani at (312) 653-7159 or e-mail her at jennifer_tani@bcbsil.com. Visit http://www.bcbsil.com/about_us/involvement.htm to apply online for a grant.  Applications for the second grant cycle are due September 30, 2008.



The latest grantees are:

1. A Safe Place

2. Access Community Health Network

3. AGAPE Youth Network

4. Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry

5. Alivio Medical Center

6. Alliance for Community Peace

7. American Indian Center (AIC)

8. American Lung Association of Illinois- Greater Chicago

9. Apna Ghar

10. Arab-American Family Services

11. Asian Health Coalition of Illinois

12. Association House of Chicago

13. Avenues to Independence

14. Between Friends

15. Blue Cap

16. Boys Town

17. BUILD

18. Care For Real

19. CASA of Williamson County

20. Cathedral Counseling Center

21. Centro San Bonifacio

22. Chicago Area Project

23. Chicago Christian Industrial League

24. Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

25. Chicago Family Health Center

26. Chicago Freedom School

27. Chicago House and Social Service Agency

28. Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

29. Childcare Network of Evanston

30. Children's Home + Aid

31. Christian Outreach of Lutherans

32. Christopher House

33. CoACH Care Center

34. Community Health Care Clinic

35. CommunityHealth

36. Connections for Abused Women and their Children

37. Deborah's Place

38. Developmental Services Center (DSC)

39. Edwards County Council on Aging

40. Family Health Partnership Clinic

41. Family House

42. Free People's Clinic

43. Global Girls

44. Goldie's Place

45. Hands of Hope Family Clinic

46. Holy Family Ministries

47. Housing Opportunities for Women

48. Howard Area Community Center

49. Infant Welfare Clinic

50. Inspiration Corporation

51. Japanese American Service Committee (JASC)

52. Korean American Community Services

53. Latinos Progresando

54. Lawrence Hall Youth Services

55. Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago

56. Lifelink Charities

57. Mattoon Area Family YMCA

58. Music Institute of Chicago

59. Music Theatre Workshop

60. People's Resource Center

61. Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation

62. REST

63. Sarah's Circle

64. SisterHouse

65. SOS Children's Villages Illinois

66. Southwest Chicago PADS

67. Southwest Community Services

68. Special Olympics Illinois

69. Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois

70. Teen Parent Connection

71. The ARK

72. The Bridge Youth & Family Services

73. The Center for Independence through Conductive Education

74. The Chicago Public Education Fund

75. The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago

76. The Monroe Foundation

77. The Youth Job Center of Evanston

78. Tri City Health Partnership

79. True Star Foundation

80. Umoja Student Development Corporation

81. White Crane Wellness Center

82. Will County Children's Advocacy Center

83. YOU CAN MAKE IT



About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois



With more than 7 million members, BCBSIL (www.bcbsil.com) is the largest health insurance company in Illinois.  Started in 1936, BCBSIL is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care.  BCBSIL is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC). HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.







SOURCE  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois