2010 Sapphire Award Honors Top Nonprofits for Improving Floridians' Health

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, five Florida nonprofits were honored for their dedication to improving the health of the state's uninsured and underserved populations at the Sapphire Award ceremony, presented annually by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation (BCBSF Foundation).

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The Sapphire Award is Florida's only statewide honor that recognizes and promotes organizations that have demonstrated excellence in addressing community health care needs.

The 2010 Sapphire Award honorees are:

Winner ($120,000)

Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center   -- provides medical care for homeless and recovering women; treatment services and quality physical and mental health care for uninsured and underserved families in Broward County

Award of Distinction ($75,000 each)

Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. – educates high-risk, culturally diverse populations about nutrition strategies to prevent diet-related diseases among African-American adults and youth in Central Florida

Tykes & Teens – provides mental health counseling and substance abuse prevention/treatment to some of the most impoverished children and their families in Martin County  

Honorable Mentions ($50,000 each)

DLC Nurse & Learn   – provides year-round nursing care, specialized therapies, child care and special education to children with disabilities in Jacksonville

Okaloosa AIDS Support & Informational Services (OASIS) -- prevents the further spread of HIV infection and supports those affected by the syndrome who live in Northwest Florida.

Established in 2005, the Sapphire Award recognizes and rewards nonprofit community health programs that have demonstrated success and high merit and have a record of improving the health of their community through measurable outcomes. The event also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the BCBSF Foundation, formerly known as The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida.

"We commend this year's honorees for their ceaseless efforts in improving the health of individuals and families in their communities. These nonprofit organizations have truly stepped up to make a difference and we applaud their efforts," said Susan Towler, vice president, BCBSF Foundation. "It is our hope that other nonprofits will follow their lead so that we can truly help those Floridians who need it the most."

To be eligible for the Sapphire Award, organizations must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are officially located and incorporated in the state of Florida with programs offering health-related services. Programs are nominated by the organization's executive director and three persons familiar with the organization and are reviewed by an independent selection committee comprised of medical, public health and health communication experts from across the country and Florida. A total of 36 organizations were nominated for the 2010 Sapphire Award.

Since the Sapphire Award's inception, 37 nonprofits and health programs have been recognized for excellence in community health programming. Of that number, 12 Winners, eight Awards of Distinction, 13 Honorable Mentions and four Finalists have been named, sharing more than $2.1 million in award funds.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation (BCBSF Foundation) is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) incorporated in the state of Florida. The BCBSF Foundation, and its parent, BCBSF, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on the BCBSF Foundation, please visit its website at www.bluefoundationfl.com.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and the BCBSF Foundation are on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation