CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Highmark West Virginia’s Charitable Fund for Health today announced a $100,000 donation to Charleston-based Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center. Local and state representatives, including Senator Manchin’s office, Senator Capito’s office, West Virginia National Guard, and Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin’s office joined Highmark West Virginia officials at Haddad Riverfront Park for the announcement. Funds will be used to expand its health and wellness program, connecting West Virginia veterans to medical services throughout the state.
“Highmark is grateful for the sacrifices our veterans have made for all of us, and we are identifying avenues to support them through our new Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health,” said Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark West Virginia. “The hands-on work the Roark Sullivan team does on a daily basis aligns with our veterans’ initiatives, and we look forward to seeing the great results that come from this grant funding.”
This donation is funded through Highmark’s new West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, which provides critical funding to support West Virginia-based health and social service organizations. Still in its inaugural year, the Charitable Fund for Health has awarded nearly $2 million in grant funding for West Virginia-based non-profit organizations with programs focused on social determinants of health, oral health, and family health.
“On behalf of the veterans we help serve throughout the Mountain State, we are thrilled to receive Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health’s support,” said Jessica McGuire, president and chief executive officer of the Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center. “At a time when our state’s veterans are in perhaps more need than ever, this funding will ensure we help those with transportation needs to get to their medical appointments and services.”
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia serves approximately 240,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the BlueCard® program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia holds the largest share of the commercial market, and more West Virginians carry a Blue Cross Blue Shield card than any other insurance carrier in the state. With offices in Parkersburg and Wheeling, Highmark West Virginia employs approximately 600 people and serves as a key economic driver in the state with its total economic impact reaching $262 million.
Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our missing by awarding high-impact grants to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community health. Central to the Foundation’s mission is identifying and continuously reevaluating our region’s prevailing health care needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well-equipped to pinpoint the issues that more urgently need support. In 2021, two new restricted funds were established at the Highmark Foundation – the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health and the United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund. These funds support the ongoing work of the Highmark Foundation across its footprint and beyond. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HighmarkFdn.
About Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund
The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, is a controlled fund of the Highmark Foundation. The Charitable Fund for Health‘s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in all 55 counties in West Virginia. The Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health strives to support programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.
