Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania is committed to supporting nonprofit agencies that respond to the needs of its neighbors throughout the region. The Foundation's Board of Directors recently authorized its 2011/2012 contribution of nearly $122,000 to be shared by 14 United Ways located throughout BCNEPA's 13-county service area.

As part of that contribution, the Greater Weatherly Area Community Chest and United Way of Carbon County each received $1,000 targeted specifically to support health-related programs for Carbon County residents."Many people across our service area are feeling the strain of the economy," said Cynthia A. Yevich, executive director of The Blue Ribbon Foundation. "We are privileged to have the resources to help improve lives and change the community conditions that affect our region's most vulnerable residents."Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to approximately 600,000 individuals in 13 counties in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania. The company's mission is to provide integrated health care services and products to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of health care in the populations we serve.Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania established its private, non-profit Blue Ribbon Foundation in 2002 to invest in health education and prevention initiatives that produce measurable health improvements and help manage long term health costs for the residents of northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.