Blue Cross & Blue Shield Employees Build Playground Thursday

PROVIDENCE, RI – About 40 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) employees will help build a playground at Mary E. Fogarty Elementary School, 199 Oxford Street, Providence, from approximately 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 2.

The playground project is part of non-profit Family Service of Rhode Island’s “Providence Children’s Initiative,” which is based at the school. The Providence Children’s Initiative, which includes the innovative “Walking School Bus” program, works to improve academic, economic and social outcomes in Providence’s South Side neighborhood.

Family Service of Rhode Island was selected as part of “Blue across Rhode Island,” BCBSRI’s signature volunteer event. Family Service of Rhode Island also received a $5,000 grant from BCBSRI to purchase supplies and offset any expenses incurred for the volunteer project.

“The children of Fogarty Elementary are fortunate to have the support of BCBSRI both financially and through volunteering,” said Family Service of Rhode Island’s Julie Casimiro, who heads the Providence Children’s Initiative. “Family Service of Rhode Island and our Providence Children’s Initiative program are deeply grateful for this partnership.”

“This community effort to rally around the children of Mary Fogarty School and its surrounding neighborhood is a fine example of how our greater community can support our schools and children,” said Providence Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan F. Lusi. “We thank Blue Cross/Blue Shield Rhode Island, Family Service of Rhode Island and the Providence Children’s Initiative for their leadership and partnership on providing this wonderful resource for the health and recreation of our children.”

“In recognition of BCBSRI’s 75th anniversary, we decided to focus this year’s Blue across Rhode Island on our state’s future: our children,” said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president and chief executive officer of BCBSRI. “I know I speak for all the company’s associates when I say we are honored to partner with these organizations that do so much for so many in our community. It gives us all great of joy to be able to work with them.”

Family Service of Rhode Island is a statewide non-profit social, human and educational service organization. For more information visit www.familyserviceri.org.

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