COVID-19 Relief
Learn about how BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and our employees are responding to the pandemic.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, South Carolinians began to face new barriers and challenges. The company responded quickly with significant donations to the Central Carolina Community Foundation One SC Fund, the American Red Cross Palmetto South Carolina Region and the United Way of the Midlands.
BlueCross and the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation supported Senior Resources to help expand their emergency meal delivery service to homebound seniors statewide. BlueCross food services cooked and packaged the meals, and employees wrote letters of encouragement to accompany them. BlueCross also donated 980 meals to feed health care professionals and staff at four local hospitals.
The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Addressing the Critical Blood Shortage
In March 2020, over one hundred American Red Cross blood drives were canceled in South Carolina due to precautions around the pandemic. A national blood shortage began and has progressed to the worst blood crisis in over 10 years.
BlueCross offers two hours of time off work for its employees to visit a blood donation site, and conducts drawings for additional paid time off among employees who donate at least twice per year. The company regularly promotes blood drives and contributes to the American Red Cross’ life-saving work.
Employees Give Back
When the pandemic began, BlueCross employees stepped up to help their neighbors. They sewed hundreds of face masks, fostered animals, supported local businesses by purchasing gift cards and delivered meals to elderly and sick neighbors. Since 2020, they have donated over 700 pints of blood and given over $5.4 million to support community organizations.
In 2021, BlueCross employees received four hours of time off work to volunteer at a COVID-19 vaccination site. Over 150 employees spent time directing traffic, completing registrations and screening patients.
Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
BlueCross has invested nearly $9 million in South Carolina’s five private, four-year HBCUs to help with immediate financial needs, ensure sustainability and assist in getting as many students as possible to begin or continue their education with these institutions. Those schools are Allen University and Benedict College, both in Columbia; Claflin University in Orangeburg; Morris College in Sumter; and Voorhees College in Denmark.
Funding supported technology infrastructures, devices and hotspots, eLearning, tuition-based scholarships, hardship relief scholarships, and health and wellness services.