Helping Maine communities
stay vital, healthy, empowered
and inspired.
19992MEEENABS Rev. 4/122011
Maine
Community
Report
Since 1938, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine has proudly offered health care plans for Maine’s children, adults and seniors. This long heritage includes serving every one of our state’s 16 counties with a broad range of products, programs and services.
In 2011, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine contributed more than $750,000 in charitable support to more than 60 non-profit organizations across the state. That support included charitable donations, grants from our parent company’s foundation, and donations from the people who work here. Beyond our financial contributions in 2011, Maine associates also volunteered thousands of hours of service in a broad range of projects throughout the state.
Of course, the lion’s share of our charitable support is aimed at health-related causes. Using our State Health Index* as a guide, our efforts focus on some of Maine’s most pressing health issues. Those include heart and lung disease, child and adult fitness levels, diabetes, low birth weight babies and cancer in adults and children.
In this report, you’ll see just some of the many ways we work to address those issues.
Yours in good health,
Daniel P. Corcoran
President and General Manager,
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine
Dan Corcoran and crew move earth on Anthem’s Community Service Day for a new fitness/walking path at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging in Scarborough.
* Developed from information collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Health Index continually tracks eight guiding measures of public health focusing on maternity and prenatal care, preventive care, lifestyle, and mortality and morbidity. From this, we work with state government, public health agencies, and other organizations to develop detailed action plans to help improve health outcomes. This information also provides a basis for our charitable giving.
Enriching communities
More than ever, we’re equipped to build on our mission to improve the lives of the people we serve in Maine.
Here are just a few of the resources that help make our communities even more vital.
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation.
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that’s wholly funded by our parent company. The Foundation provides funds to support programs that add to the health and well-being of people in the areas that we serve. Look on the back cover for Foundation grants that have been given in Maine.
Our yardstick: the State Health Index.
We routinely track and target health improvements in Maine residents, as measured by our State Health Index. To help meet goals for improvement, our Foundation supports Healthy Generations, a multi-generational health program for better public health. Healthy Generations gives funds to programs that seek to improve measures that are part of our State Health Index.
The programs help:
}
}Children lower their obesity levels. }
}Adults lower their risk for death from heart disease. }
}Adults have more healthy fitness levels and keep those
levels up.
}
}Adults lower their risk of diabetes (high blood sugar). }
}Mothers-to-be (those at risk) stick with the care they need
through their first three months of being pregnant.
}
}Mothers-to-be (those at risk) commit to behaviors that
lead to lower numbers of babies who have a low birth weight.
}
}Adults have better flu prevention and better flu and
pneumonia vaccine rates.
}
}People who smoke learn how to stop.
The people at Anthem.
The people who work at Anthem have long supported nonprofit agencies across Maine. Our local leaders also serve on boards that strive to make our state a better place to live and work, including:
}
}Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges }
}Maine Vaccine Board }
}Quality Counts }
}Maine Children’s Cancer Program }
}Day One }
}RSU21 School Board }
}Cumberland County YMCA
In 2011 our Associate Giving Campaign gave more than $173,417 to agencies across Maine. Many Anthem associates gladly give their time year after year. They help with the United Way’s Day of Caring, Anthem’s own yearly Community Service Day and dozens of onsite bake sales and silent auctions that raise thousands of dollars for local organizations.
Vital communities
Resources that drive improvement.
Dozens of Maine associates gave their time at local nonprofit groups on Anthem’s Community Service Day. Here Anthem helpers get ready to plant shrubs along a walking path at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging in Scarborough. All over the country, 3,800 Anthem associates, families and friends helped 112 communities in 25 states.
Putting play in their day.
We joined with 17 YMCAs across Maine to support the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. This free community event features a range of fun things to do. It shows children and families that they can enjoy staying active as a way to support lifelong health. More than 2,900 children joined in the 2011 Healthy Kids Day.
Helping Downeast kids eat healthy.
The Foundation gave a grant to the Schoodic Education and Research Center Institute (SERC) for the Healthy Kids for a Healthy Acadia program. This program targets grade school-aged and preteen children in Washington, Hancock and Aroostook counties who are at risk to become overweight. The Institute partners with Healthy Acadia to make healthy menus that bring in fresh, wholesome produce from local farms. Most of our funding was used to train school kitchen staff, food service workers and teachers on the Healthy Kids program.
Teaching healthy habits for life.
The OASIS Institute got a Foundation grant to train adults age 50 and older to teach the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Healthy Habits program to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. This summer and after-school program helps deal with kids’ obesity issues across the country. Here in Maine, it’s being set up in schools and youth centers in Greater Portland.
“We’re so proud of all the kids and families
who took part in this historic event. By jumping
their way into history, they proved that you
don’t need equipment or a gym membership
to get active and be healthy.”
—Jen Pierce, Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine
Healthy communities
Support that encourages wellness.
From jumping jacks to healthy snacks, they all lead to a healthier Maine. We join with a range of groups to
reach out to kids, families, adults, seniors and the workforce with support that helps improve their health.
Dr. Jeff Holmstrom, medical director for Anthem in Maine, joins the Sea Dogs’ Slugger to watch over the jumping jacks count. Sixty kids at South Portland Boys & Girls Clubhouse joined their peers across Maine and the nation — more than 800 Boys & Girls Clubs in all — to break the Guinness World Record for the most people doing jumping jacks at one time.
“Over the last three years, the Youth Healthy
Lifestyles Project has been successfully engaging
rural communities in establishing educational and
environmental changes that will lead to cultures
where healthy nutrition and fitness practices for
children are the norm. Anthem’s financial support
has made a significant difference in completing
the 5-year project.”
— Jerry Whalen, Vice President, Business Development, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems
Keeping active in the winter.
At our first-ever “Winter Family Fitness Day” at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, we invited local families to skate, cross-country ski, snowshoe and sled. It was a free event and there was no charge to rent equipment. For some families, this was their first time with cold-weather, outdoor aerobic activities.
Moving toward a healthier Maine workforce.
We support the Wellness Council of Maine to help Maine businesses start or build up their workplace wellness programs. These programs give companies tools to gain a healthier, more useful workforce, which could help control health care costs. The Bangor Region Wellness Council is part of the Wellness Councils of America, which has programs around the country and salutes employers of all sizes for their efforts with workplace wellness.
“Since 2008, the YMCAs of Maine and
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have
collaborated to host the YMCA’s Healthy
Kids Day. This is a wonderful family event
that showcases the true mission of both
organizations; and the focus areas of
healthy living, youth development and
social responsibility.”
— Becky Harkema, Chief Executive Officer, Northern York County Family YMCA
“The WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active
Learning (GOAL) combines outdoor, physical
activity with a range of academic lessons to
help educators get their kids learning and
moving during Maine’s longest and most
‘indoor’ season! Anthem’s gift to WinterKids
has allowed us to offer the most current
lessons aligned to learning standards for
teachers across Maine.”
— Julie D. Mulkern, Executive Director, WinterKids
Winter Family Fitness Day visitors show off rosy cheeks and smiling faces as they brave Maine’s winter for a healthy good time.
Anthem has innovative health programs for our Maine associates. These programs, such as stairway artwork that helps encourage people to climb stairs instead of taking an elevator. This artwork, designed and painted by Anthem associates, helped us earn the highest designation, Platinum Level, through the Wellness Councils of America.
Inspired communities
Service that offers hope.
“Anthem and their employees take part in our
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to help
the American Cancer Society fight breast cancer
and offer hope to all people facing the disease.
Thanks in part to Anthem’s generous support, more
than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors will
celebrate another birthday this year.”
— Donna Muto, Community Executive, American Cancer Society
Walking for healthy hearts.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
Helping the families of kids with cancer. Honoring the angels among us. Jenny Hagan was one of our associates who joined the 2011 Southern Maine
Heart Walk. Her 38-member team, which included her son Joey, raised more than $3,500 for research. Joey was diagnosed with a heart disease at 3 days old, and had a number of surgeries starting at 13 months. He now leads an active life and is a student at the University of Southern Maine.
More than 75 Anthem associates, family and friends joined in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Portland, where nearly 2,000 walkers gathered in Monument Square. Anthem associates raised over $8,000 for this year’s campaign.
Our Strike Out Cancer in Kids sponsorship raises funds for families with children who have cancer and blood disorders. Each time the Portland Sea Dogs strike out a visiting batter, it raises the funding total.
The loyal fans of the Portland Pirates and University of Maine Black Bears hockey teams joined us to honor area “Community Angels” who help their communities in some way. Here, Anthem Community Angel George Sawyer gets his honorary Portland Pirates jersey from Anthem Vice President Bill Whitmore. Sawyer was nominated by a Pirates fan for his selfless work raising funds and setting up transport for patients with cancer. On his behalf, we made a contribution to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine.
“The Maine Children’s Cancer Program and
Anthem have enjoyed a wonderful partnership
over the past several years. Community
collaboration like this is what helps us achieve
our mission to keep cancer from getting in the
way of letting kids be kids.”
— Timothy Boynton, Development Manager, Maine Children’s Cancer Program
Empowered communities
Programs that build awareness.
Supporting the fight against diabetes (high blood sugar).
One in five people in the U.S. now has a chance of having Type 2 diabetes. With that in mind, we supported the American Diabetes Association’s annual Alert Day. To help start the “know your risk” movement, we gave out free toolkits about high blood sugar to Maine’s community-based organizations.
Improving health care for ethnic minority communities.
For years, we’ve joined with the City of Portland’s Minority Health Program to help make it easier for Portland’s ethnic minority communities to get health care, and also to support social/cultural unity. At the
Multicultural Exercise for Health and Love held once a year in May, minority groups are invited to take part in a broad range of health screenings that include high blood sugar counseling, prevention and teaching.
Boosting a heart rehab program.
The Bangor YMCA received Foundation funding to support the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. The program teaches people with heart and lung health problems — as well as people who have a high chance of having these health problems — how to be active and make healthy choices in their daily lives. The program serves Greater Bangor/Brewer and nearby counties.
Together with many Maine organizations, we share the message with communities to get health care
screenings and guidance. Those can be major ways to help avoid illnesses and costly treatments.
Bringing the world to Maine.
We were the gold sponsor of the E.On IBU Biathlon World Cup, hosted by the Maine Winter Sports Center in Presque Isle and Fort Kent. The World Cup events showcase world class athletes who are at the top of their sport. They also give an economic boost to Aroostook County and show 120 million TV viewers the quality of life in northern Maine.
The Maine Winter Sports Center promotes skiing and other outdoor sports as part of a healthier lifestyle for Maine residents. It also seeks to make a new model for Maine’s rural communities. It will be one that keeps young families together and attracts businesses that are looking for a high quality of life for their workers.
For more than 70 years, we’ve put Maine communities first. It’s our leaders’ and associates’ local focus that
makes it so rewarding to serve the people of Maine. It’s also what drives us to do all we can to inspire health
and hope in our communities.
The biathlon calls for the staying power of cross-country skiing as well as precise rifle marksmanship. It’s the most-watched televised winter sport throughout most of the world.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen once again to
host these events. We’re also very grateful to Anthem
for stepping up in a big way as a primary sponsor.”
In 2011, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine invested more than $750,000 to support organizations
in Maine. That includes $173,417 through our Associate Giving Campaign and $332,915 in grants from the
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. Those who received funding are listed here. To learn more
about our funding priorities or to apply for funding, visit wellpointfoundation.org.
ALS Maine Collaborative Alzheimer’s Association American Cancer Society American College of Sports and Medicine Foundation* American Diabetes Association*
American Heart Association American Red Cross
Bangor YMCA*
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine
Boys & Girls Clubs* Cancer Community Center Center for Grieving Children City of Portland Minority Health Program
Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership Dartmouth College, Trustees of* Day One
Disabled Sports USA*
Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems*
Girl Scouts of Maine Healthy Androscoggin Kids First Center Kora Shriners Let’s Go!
Maine Cancer Foundation Maine Children’s Cancer Program
Maine Philanthropy Center Maine Quality Counts Make-A-Wish Foundation Morrison Center
Motivational Services National Association for the Mentally Ill
National Lung Cancer Partnership
New England Healthcare Institute*
OASIS Institute*
Opportunity Housing, Inc. Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation
Pine Tree Council Boy Scouts Pineland Farms
Portland Trails
Reiche Elementary School Rippleffect, Inc.
Ronald McDonald House of Bangor
Ronald McDonald House of Portland
Saco Bay Rotary Safe Place Food Pantry Salvation Army
Schoodic Education and Research Center Institute* Southern Maine Agency on Aging
Southern Maine Wellness Council
Special Olympics Spectrum Generations STRIVE
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Susan L. Curtis Foundation Sweetser
TD Bank Beach to Beacon Road Race
United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine United Way of Greater Portland
University of Southern Maine Wellness Council of Maine Westbrook Housing Services Western Foothills Trust WinterKids*
YMCA of Cumberland County YMCA of Northern York County
In Maine, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®Registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
*Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant
Active communities
Investing that helps change lives.
Health
66%
United Way/Associate Giving
24%
Community investment/other
