Blue Crew Volunteer Close-Up: Helen Furlow

^{Helen is pictured at the far left, volunteering at the Cozen PAL Prom Boutique.}

Meet Blue Crew Volunteer Helen Furlow

Helen Furlow, Senior administrative assistant
Years at Independence Blue Cross: 9

When did you become a Blue Crew volunteer?

I believe my first Blue Crew event was volunteering for Philly Reads in 2008.

What organizations and/or service products do you support with the Blue Crew?

Philly Reads; UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball; PAL Annual Award Dinner; Cradles to Crayons; United Way Days of Caring; Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run; Blue Cross Broad Street Run; Color Run; MS Walk; Step Out: Walk for Diabetes; Philadelphia Heart Walk; Cozen Pal Prom Boutique; Career Wardrobe; and MANNA.

How do you think the Blue Crew impacts the corporate culture at Independence?

Through my association with the Blue Crew, I have been able to build relationships with other associates that I may not have gotten to know. I’ve gained leadership skills, and I’ve participated in strengthening our brand through social media and wearing our well-recognized Blue Crew shirts. Volunteering as part of the Blue Crew fosters proud, loyal, happy, skilled employees who want to give back to the community. What better way to be “People with Purpose” than through giving?

What motivates you to donate so many volunteer hours?

Initially, I started volunteering to take the focus away from the grief [I felt after] the loss of my dad, but then I realized I really enjoyed doing the events, so I just kept doing it and found the events that mattered the most and volunteered on those as often as I could. It was a much better way to honor the loss of my dad, feel good about myself, and give back to the community at the same time.

Is there a particular volunteer project or achievement you are most proud of?

I really enjoy all of the events that I work on, but I love working with the kids from the Philly Reads program. I love seeing the smile on their faces when we read with them and do special parties for them — it is amazing.

When you aren’t at work or volunteering, how do you like to spend your free time?

Enjoying life with my family and friends.

Our Independence Blue Cross (Independence) Corporate Volunteer Program — the Blue Crew — celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2016. Collectively, our Blue Crew volunteers donated more than 7,900 community service hours in 2015. In this series, we’re profiling our Blue Crew volunteers with the most individual service hours. Know an organization or a local event that could use some enthusiastic volunteers? Contact the Blue Crew.