Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona Celebrates 75 Years with Statewide Campaign Arizonans First. Always.

TUCSON, Ariz., April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To commemorate 75 years in business and to thank Arizona for always supporting the locally-based health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is launching a 12-month celebration reaching every county in the state.

"We want to acknowledge those who are also working tirelessly to improve the lives of Arizonans – from Apache to Santa Cruz. This year-long campaign is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the diversity of our state and the array of organizations that leave a lasting impact on those they serve," said Rich Boals, president and CEO.  

Efforts will range from grants to donation drives to volunteer time. Each month a different county will be highlighted. The celebration kicks off in Pima County, where BCBSAZ also has a regional office:

• Doolen Middle School Science Classroom Gets a Makeover. Ivan Yocum, Doolen Middle School's science teacher for 17 years, was surprised to learn his classroom was receiving a grant from BCBSAZ. The announcement was made during the recent SARSEF SciEnTek – 12 science fair in Tucson, where he received the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Top Science Teacher award. The company is recognizing both Doolen Middle School and Yocum for their outstanding ability to inspire middle school students in science, technology, engineering and math studies, also known as S.T.E.M.

Funds will be used to purchase updated books with integrated software support, modern microscopes and slides, chemistry lab tools and science magazine subscriptions. Additionally, BCBSAZ will host Yocum and his students for a field trip to the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix.

Doolen Middle School is a school located in Tucson that serves students from lower-income households.

• A Disabled Veteran Gets a New Home. BCBSAZ provided a grant to Habitat for Humanity Tucson in Southern Arizona to assist disabled veteran, Gabriel Barreda and his wife Elizabeth, who have been living in a home deemed uninhabitable due to deterioration and mold.

With the funds, Habitat for Humanity arranged a home swap. This unique concept is something never before attempted by the Habitat for Humanity affiliate.  Habitat for Humanity will move a previously owned manufactured home to the location where Gabriel currently lives. The grant will pay for the move, permits and placement of the home on the property. Funds will also subsidize painting, minor repairs, landscaping, the purchase of furniture from the HabiStore and fees to turn on the utilities. Fifteen BCBSAZ employees will also volunteer to paint, help landscape and get the home ready for occupancy.

Maricopa is the next county to take part of the celebration. To learn more about BCBSAZ and its 75 years in Arizona, visit azblue.com/birthday.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to 1.3 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson and the East Valley, the company employs more than 1,300 Arizonans. Follow BCBSAZ at www.facebook.com/bcbsaz or on Twitter at @bcbsaz to get information on health and wellness, a knowledgeable perspective on health insurance reform, and become a part of what we're doing in your community.  

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona