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Secret Santa is a voluntary program that unites our employees each year with one goal in mind, and that is to help children and families in our surrounding counties,” St. Hilaire said. "As a community-based health insurer, it is part of our commitment to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.
Nearly 35,000 children over the last 30 years have received a gift from the Capital BlueCross “Secret Santa” program, an employee-run initiative that provides gifts to children, from infants to teenagers, who otherwise may not have a gift to call their own this holiday season. This year’s gifts were on full display today in the Capital BlueCross lobby, where company President and CEO Gary D. St. Hilaire hosted this year’s community organization partners.
“Secret Santa is a voluntary program that unites our employees each year with one goal in mind, and that is to help children and families in our surrounding counties,” St. Hilaire said. "As a community-based health insurer, it is part of our commitment to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley."
Employees choose a gift tag with a child's first name, age and wish list. They purchase gifts or donate money for volunteers to do the shopping. Secret Santa helps children in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Perry and York counties. The following organizations partner with Capital BlueCross to connect families to the program:
- The Salvation Army, Harrisburg Capital City Region
- Cumberland County Children & Youth Services
- Dauphin County Children & Youth
- Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency
- Perry County Family Center, Inc.
- York County Office of Children, Youth & Families
"Each year, The Salvation Army Harrisburg provides toys, clothing and holiday meals for over 4,100 local children, and we are able to do this thanks to the generosity of friends like Capital BlueCross,” said Kathy Anderson-Martin, Director of Philanthropy for The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region. “We are truly grateful to the employees and leadership at Capital BlueCross, who make a difference in our community during the holidays and all year long."