RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan accepts nominations for annual Community Service Awards
Meghan O'Brien
| 3 min read
Individuals and organizations that exemplify senior advocacy in Michigan to be recognized
DETROIT, April 28, 2016 – Demonstrating its continued commitment to the health and wellness of Michigan’s seniors, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is accepting nominations for its 26th annual Community Service Awards to recognize those individuals and organizations that act as outstanding senior citizen advocates throughout the state. The awards will be presented on August 12 at the kick-off ceremony for the 2016 Michigan Senior Olympics, sponsored by Blue Cross. In addition to being recognized, each award recipient will receive a corporate contribution of $1,000, payable to the non-profit organization of his or her choice. Blue Cross awards three Community Service Awards for senior advocacy; two for individual accomplishment and one for organizations. The Claude D. Pepper Award is given to two individuals – a retiree volunteer over 55 years of age and another person of any age who is employed in the senior advocacy field – whose work reflects an ongoing dedication to improving the lives of older adults in Michigan. First presented in 1990, the award was named after the late Claude Pepper, a U.S. congressman who was heavily involved in the strengthening of Social Security and Medicare, as well as a principal sponsor of the Older Americans Act of 1965. Since then, Blue Cross has awarded more than $58,000 to its recipients in support of its mission to improve the quality of care available to senior citizens, specifically those whose access to health care services may be hindered by physical, mental, financial or geographical limitations. Recognizing an exceptional community-based organization, the Senior Advocate Award is presented to a group that provides seniors with health or social services assistance. Past recipients of this award have raised awareness around the immediate needs of seniors in specific communities regarding health, transportation and access to resources for a more active and independent lifestyle. “Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan wants to recognize those individuals and organizations that truly go above and beyond to make a difference for Michigan seniors,” said Suzanne Miller Allen, director of community responsibility for Blue Cross. “Raising awareness of their needs and increasing support of seniors in every community is a mission that requires everyone’s help to achieve. There are numerous individuals and groups that assist in this effort every day, without which, many older adults may not have access to much-needed resources. We hope to shine a spotlight on those that ensure the continued well-being of so many and for that, we need the public’s help in identifying the state’s true standouts.” The deadline for nominations for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Community Service Awards is June 3. To nominate an individual or organization for the Claude D. Pepper or Senior Advocacy awards, please visit bcbsm.com/awards to submit online or download a hard copy form for mail-in entry. For more information or questions regarding the awards and/or criteria, please visit bcbsm.com/awards. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.5 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.comand MiBluesPerspectives.com. Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region
