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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Supports Volunteer
Transportation Center with Sponsorship
Published: April 12, 2022 at
12:30 p.m.
By: Press Release from Volunteer Transportation
Center
PHOTO: Jeremiah S. Papineau, Foundation Director for
the Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc., holds a ceremonial check with
Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica Regional President. The
health plan awarded the VTC $5,000 in support of the services provided to
people in the community facing transportation barriers.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Supports Volunteer
Transportation Center, Inc.
(WATERTOWN, NY) – The Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation,
Inc. is proud to announce it has received a $5,000 sponsorship from
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in support of the services provided to people
in the community facing transportation barriers. This marks the third year
in a row the health plan has provided funding to support the mission of the
Volunteer Transportation Center.
“Once again, we
are thankful to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield beyond words,” said VTC
Foundation Director Jeremiah S. Papineau. “We appreciate how they find the
value in supporting our mission and recognizing the importance of the work
our volunteers do here in the North Country.”
Mr. Papineau went
on to say the funding is even more important as the world continues to
navigate its way through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The VTC, like
many other nonprofit organizations, has seen increased challenges over the
past two years,” he said. “Receiving funding from organizations like
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield helps to relieve some of the pressure created
by an inability to host fundraisers in the traditional way.”
Mr. Papineau
noted the funding will be used to reimburse volunteer drivers for the trips
they provide to those in the community who would otherwise not have transportation
to crucial appointments.
“We are proud to
support Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. in their mission to provide
vital transportation services to residents in need,” said Eve Van de Wal,
Excellus BCBS Utica Regional President. “Removing transportation barriers
can improve continuity of care by helping individuals keep their medical
appointments, leading to better health and wellbeing.”
Ms. Van de Wal
went on to say Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is committed to supporting
local organizations that improve community health. The company’s corporate
giving follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not support
funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies or products.
“We cannot thank
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield enough for their continued support. It truly
helps make our mission possible,” said Mr. Papineau, who noted the funding
from the health plan will be recognized with Underwriter Level sponsorship
of all VTC events this year and will benefit services provided by the
organization across Jefferson, Lewis and St.
Lawrence Counties.
ABOUT EXCELLUS
BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD
Excellus
BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York
members. The company’s mission is to help people live healthier and more
secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its
products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness
tracking tools and access to telemedicine.
With more than
3,500 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a
diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It
also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid
volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit www.ExcellusBCBS.com.
ABOUT THE
VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER
The Volunteer
Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of
miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. Over the last 30 years,
this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care
appointments, grocery shopping, and other destinations for residents.
In 2021, our
volunteer drivers provided 26,711 charitable trips over 1,073,435 miles in
Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 470,002 helped
those in Jefferson County, 151,954 in Lewis County, and 451,479 in St.
Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $477,679 in mileage
reimbursement for our volunteers.
The staff, Board
of Directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when
transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all
North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But
for now the mission drives on — striving to
provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations
utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to
transportation.
For more
information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center,
about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the
agency in Watertown at 315-788-0422, in Canton at 315-714-2034, or Fulton
at 315-714-9134. To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org.
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