Highmark West Virginia and West Virginia Power team up for Ks for Kids program to benefit Elk River
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (April 3, 2018) – Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia announced today that as part of its 5th annual Ks for Kids program, the company will donate $5 to Elk River Backpack Blessings for every strikeout thrown by a West Virginia Power pitcher at Appalachian Power Park this season.
“Through our annual Ks for Kids program, Highmark West Virginia and the West Virginia Power have the opportunity to spotlight an outstanding program in our community that is making a difference in the lives of our children,” said Highmark West Virginia President Jim Fawcett. “We all have a stake in creating healthier communities, and our support of Elk River Backpack Blessings is just one of the ways we can help give back.”
The Elk River Backpack Blessings program provides food to elementary students who face a food shortage by providing them with a backpack of nutritious, child-friendly food at the end of each week. Since 2012, Elk River Backpack Blessings has grown to serve 500 children in seven schools in the Elk River community. The program aims to help ease the hunger of children so that they attend school regularly, have better health and are successful in the classroom.
“Elk River Backpack Blessings appreciates the support of Highmark West Virginia and the West Virginia Power baseball team to help provide healthy, nutritious, child-friendly foods to put in weekend backpacks," said Debi O’Dell, director, Elk River Backpack Blessings. “It takes the whole community to keep our kids healthy and happy.”
This is the fifth year that Highmark West Virginia has partnered with the West Virginia Power as part of the Ks for Kids program. Since 2014, $10,000 has been awarded through Ks for Kids to four different organizations.
“The West Virginia Power baseball team is excited to be partnering with two great organizations – Highmark West Virginia and Elk River Backpack Blessings – for the Ks for Kids program all season long at Appalachian Power Park,” said Tim Mueller, general manager, West Virginia Power. “It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness about child hunger in our community.”
The 2018 West Virginia Power baseball season kicks off on April 5 with their first home game against The Greenville Drive. This year marks the 14th season for the West Virginia Power.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia serves approximately 300,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the Blue Card program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia holds the largest share of the commercial market, and ranks number three in overall market share, behind two large national carriers. With offices in in Parkersburg, Charleston and Wheeling, it employs nearly 700 people. Highmark West Virginia is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
