Providing opportunities for UPMC Insurance Services Division employees to engage in causes they care about is an important part of UPMC Health Plan’s charitable giving and community engagement efforts. Here are some of the campaigns that our employees rally around every year.
Scouting for Food and Chow Wagon
The annual Scouting for Food campaign benefits local community food banks, such as the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Second Harvest of NWPA, Food for Families, and many more. Using networks of food pantries, shelters, and Meals on Wheels, the program provides food to those in need throughout the region. The Animal Friends' Chow Wagon provides food to the hungry pets of families in need. In 2020, donations from UPMC and UPMC Insurance Services Division employees totaled 1.77 million units of food.
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
UPMC Insurance Services Division has been a longtime supporter of the United Way. Our 2020 United Way campaign was the most successful year ever for the UPMC Insurance Services Division, raising more than $679,410. It was also the most successful campaign for UPMC—together, we raised over $2.09 million.
Through our United Way campaign, employees are encouraged to designate their donation to an organization of importance to them. UPMC Insurance Services Division employees serve as “Champions” who plan special activities, raffles, and events to engage their colleagues and encourage donations to help thousands of people in our local communities. Their contributions help financially struggling families, provide job training for people with disabilities, help thousands of seniors live safely in their homes, and so much more.
March of Dimes’ March for Babies
Each year, more than 4,500 people band together at the Pittsburgh March for Babies to fight for the health of all moms and babies. UPMC and UPMC Health Plan have been presenting sponsors of this event for nearly a decade. In 2020, the walk was changed to a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that didn’t stop more than 270 UPMC Insurance Services Division employees from signing up and raising funds to find solutions and advocate for policies that prioritize mothers' and babies' health.
"Participating in March for Babies is a way to show that I care about all the women who have issues with their pregnancy. Mine was easy and uneventful but not everyone is as lucky. The first year I participated, I strapped my daughter in her stroller, and walked along with my husband and dad. In 2020, the event was different because of COVID. I did my fundraising online and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I didn’t have to ask. So many people saw my post and donated, some of whom I hadn’t seen in years. I raised money and connected with old friends around a really good cause."
Crystal Rainey Turner
Editor
UPMC Health Plan
NAMIWalks Keystone PA
Since its debut in 2007, UPMC Health Plan and Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCBH) have been premier sponsors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) annual NAMIWalk. Employees from UPMC Health Plan and CCBH form a UPMC Insurance Services Division “Super Team” that benefits NAMI and their mission to raise awareness for mental health.
"The level of employee participation is nothing short of inspirational! ISD employees give so much to support this worthy cause—from the fundraising activities that lead up to the event, to showing their support in person on the day of the walk. We receive high praise from other community stakeholders for our obvious commitment to support NAMI and to stamp out stigma experienced by people with mental illness."
Deb Wasilchak
Chief Operating and Administrating Officer
Community Care Behavioral Health
Karing for Kids
Every child should feel the joy and excitement of receiving a gift during the holiday season. Each December, hundreds of UPMC Insurance Services Division employees participate in the Allegheny County Department of Human Services “Karing for Kids” project to help spread holiday spirit by buying gifts for children in need. This project has brightened holiday mornings for thousands of children in Allegheny County.
"My family has been participating in the Karing for Kids toy drive for the past several years. I really love involving my daughters (8 and 6) in the planning and shopping. It’s a great opportunity to teach civic mindedness and to think of others during the holiday season. And we just love shopping for baby books and toys!"
Laura N.K. Miller
Senior Associate Counsel
Community Care Behavioral Health
Walk for Children's
UPMC Health Plan is proud to be a title sponsor of the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Walk for Children’s since the inaugural event in 2016. The number of participating UPMC Insurance Services Division employees keeps growing every year to raise funds for the hospital and show support for patients their and families. More than $3 million dollars has been raised to support UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh’s mission of excellence in patient care, teaching, and research.