BLUE CROSS CELEBRATES HULL RESIDENT WHO SERVES HER COMMUNITY IN A BIG WAY

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) honored the accomplishments of Hull Resident, Maureen Gillis, at their 13th annual Excellence in Service Awards Reception. Each year the ceremony celebrates the company’s collective commitment to the communities where we work and live, as well as placing the spotlight on select associates who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in the lives of others. As part of the company’s Corporate Citizenship program, employees are encouraged to serve and give back to the community, and Maureen has given back in big ways to the Hull Lifesaving Museum.

Maureen received Blue Cross' signature award that recognizes her outstanding commitment to community service and has made a sustained and tangible impact on the Museum, which will receive a $2,500 contribution. She is an active participant with the Museum, a relationship she began in 2006 when she enrolled her daughter in their South Shore Rowing Program. Over the years, her relationship with the nonprofit deepened, and in 2008 she volunteered to chair the first fundraising event the organization ever had, and was awarded museum’s Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2015, after many years the nonprofit’s Chair of Special Events, Maureen continued to grow her community involvement by working with museum staff, consultants, and Blue Cross associates to create a “Team Building” program that is offered in Hull and the Boston Rowing Center in downtown Boston. Through her dedication, Maureen has helped raise over $200,000 to make rowing accessible to underserved youth in Boston and the South Shore, and for the restoration of the Museum's historic building in Hull.

To many in the Hull community, Maureen is a “connecter” because of her personality and thoughtfulness. Her personal story of being a single mother and the impact the youth rowing program has had on her daughter’s life touches many in the community.

In addition to her personal involvement, Maureen has helped cultivate Blue Cross’ relationship with the museum by engaging BlueCrew Teams at events and serving as a 2013 and 2014 Service Day Site Coordinator. Maureen is also instrumental in organizing the Dental team’s partnership with Special Olympics.

“At Blue Cross, we recognize that our commitment to serve and lead in the community is reinforced by the efforts of our associates,” said Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs. “Our annual Excellence in Service Awards showcase the importance of social and environmental programs in our community, and how significant these programs are to our associates. Not only does community involvement connect directly to our overall business strategy, it’s an integral part of our business success.”

Blue Cross encourages volunteer time for all employees, allowing paid time off during work hours as part of a coordinated effort. In 2015, Blue Cross associates contributed more than 30,000 volunteer service hours valued at $1.4 million, and the company donated $6 million in contributions to more than 497 nonprofit organizations that address the health and wellbeing of children and families facing economic hardship. To learn more about BCBSMA’s Corporate Citizenship efforts, view the annual Corporate Citizenship Report.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are the trusted health plan for more than 25,000 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we are rated among the nation’s best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+.