July 22, 2009 – Mobile, Alabama – The Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA) gratefully acknowledges receipt of $60,000 in community donations from four states and seven Alabama counties collected for the Insure Alabama’s Children Campaign.
These donations were matched by CFSA, totaling $120,000, and are being applied to Alabama children who do not have healthcare insurance. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama matched the $120,000, resulting in a $240,000 contribution. Every dollar of the combined funds will be used to provide healthcare insurance for 1,000 under privileged children in South Alabama.
According to a report published by Families USA Foundation, there are over 76,000 children without health insurance in the state.(Left Behind: America’s Uninsured Children, November 2008, Families USA Foundation)
“At the Community Foundation of South Alabama, we believe that investing in the health of our children is critical to the long-term prosperity and success of our community,” said Ronald B. Melton, Chairman of The Community Foundation of South Alabama. In addition to doctor visits when they’re sick, the children can now have regular checkups, routine immunizations, vision services, emergency care and hospital outpatient care.
“Without this generous contribution, these children would not have healthcare coverage and would not have access to the best healthcare possible,” said Phillip Pope, President and CEO
of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “By working together in this innovative partnership, 1,000 children have been assured of medical care for one year. These children may not realize
the generosity of so many people, but they can now go to the doctor just like your children
and mine.”
About The Community Foundation of South Alabama
The Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA) is a nonprofit foundation that plays a key role in meeting the needs of Southwest Alabama through leadership and grants. In 2008, more than $3 million was awarded by the CFSA to nonprofit organizations to support programs that make life better in our community. The CFSA builds lasting endowments to ensure grants are available to support the community forever. For more information, visit www.communityendowment.com.
Contact: Stephanie Ryan
Phone: 251-438-5591
Email: communication@communityendowment.com
About The Alabama Child Caring Foundation
The Alabama Child Caring Foundation (ACCF) was created as a means of providing Alabama’s uninsured children with the healthcare they need. At the inception of the program, there were 230,000 uninsured children in the state. Many parents earned too much money to qualify for government assistance programs but could not afford private insurance. Since the first child was enrolled in March 1988, more than 69,000 children have received coverage. Blue Cross provides all administrative costs and matches all donations dollar for dollar. All contributions and matching funds go directly to providing healthcare coverage for the children. For more information about the ACCF, please visit www.accf.net.
