Random or Planned — All Kindness Matters

A group of Blue Crew volunteers
Carol Dunleavy (left) and other members of the Blue Crew, volunteering at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House When I was first asked to write a blog about kindness, my initial reaction was, “Would anyone listen to my thoughts on kindness?” While I consider myself to be a kind person, I wasn’t sure if everyone else would agree....
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Get Involved with Giving Tuesday

The holidays are a special time, but the season of giving can also be stressful. For many, the pressure of trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones can be overwhelming. There’s another day coming up this holiday season that’s also focused on giving — with no gifts required! It’s called Giving Tuesday, and it falls on December 3....
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Fighting Hunger this Holiday Season

Members of the Blue Crew volunteering at a local food pantry. The holidays are a special time for many of us — from gifts to gatherings, this time is made up of fond memories with our loved ones. It’s during this time that we often take a moment to reflect on all the things that we’re grateful for in our lives....
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More Than Just Volunteers: The Blue Crew are Champions of Change

Volunteers painting a mural at a Turning Points for Children center.
Blue Crew volunteers painting a mural at a Turning Points for Children center. When I received a phone call from the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey during the summer of 2016, I didn’t expect it would lead to me ordering a truck containing two cubic yards of topsoil....
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Beyond Giving Back: How Volunteering Can Help Boost Your Career

Michael Allen boxing up food at a volunteer event
If you ask Michael Allen, he will tell you that volunteering is contagious; that’s how he got his start with the Blue Crew and volunteering in 2011. He had just joined Independence Blue Cross when an enthusiastic associate (and passionate Blue Crew member) told him about the company’s volunteer program and encouraged him to sign up....
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Honoring America’s Heroes at the Medal of Honor Grove

Blue Crew volunteers sprucing up the grounds at the Medal of Honor Grove
Blue Crew volunteers helping to spruce up the Medal of Honor Grove. There are approximately 30 million military veterans in the United States, and that number keeps growing every day! The IVets, Independence Blue Cross’s associate resource group for veterans, includes many men and women who have served on behalf of American citizens....
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Veterans in the Workplace: The Power of Support

Melanie Martin and I-Ride participants
Melanie Martin (center) and I-Ride participants. After graduating college, I took a job as a retail store manager, but I quickly realized that I was looking for something more. While it was fun, it didn’t bring me the joy and feeling of accomplishment that I wanted. One day I heard the “Be All You Can Be” slogan on a radio advertisement for the U.S....
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Volunteers Play a Pivotal Role During Races

Heather Falck and others at a recent Blue Cross Broad Street Run. As an associate at Independence Blue Cross and a lifelong runner, I’m fortunate to have unique opportunities to join the Independence Blue Streaks running club and volunteer with the Independence Blue Crew. If I’m not running a race, I try to be a race volunteer....
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Coming Together by Volunteering as a Family at The Kidney Walk

Briana and the Cunninghams, posing while volunteering at the Kidney Walk.
Briana and her family pose for a picture with Rocky Bluewinkle while volunteering at the Wilmington Kidney Walk hosted by the National Kidney Foundation Growing up, my family taught me the importance of giving back, and it always stuck with me. So, when I started working at Independence Blue Cross last February,...
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Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House: Serving Comfort, Hope, and Nourishment

Blue Crew volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House
Members of the Blue Crew, volunteering at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House A home-cooked meal can provide comfort to anyone facing a stressful situation. For a family with a seriously ill child, it can be a lifesaver. As the Director of Marketing & Communications at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, I have seen how a good home-cooked meal can light up the faces of these families during difficult times....
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