WellCare Health Plans Inc. recently announced a WellCare Community Foundation donation of $10,000 in support of the Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island in Hilo.
Big Island employees from ‘Ohana Health Plan, a WellCare company based in Hawaii, also volunteered to help the organization just in time for the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.
Each year, the Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island serves approximately 1,000 children ages 6-17 through an after-school enrichment program. About 96% of those children come from underserved minority populations. One in 3 enrolled children comes from poverty, with 21% of families having a total annual income of $10,000 or less. Additionally, many students are not meeting math, literacy or science standards.
WellCare’s donation will support 250 children in the after-school program and help cover the cost of needed supplies, including books and athletic equipment, as well as room enhancements for the organization’s teen room and computer center located at the Hilo Clubhouse. The Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island’s Hilo program serves about 400 children, all of whom receive homework support, enrichment and wellness programming, recreational physical activity, out-of-school education classes and daily nutritional supplement and meal programs.
In conjunction with the start of the school year, ‘Ohana Health Plan associates in Hilo volunteered about 100 hours to help decorate the Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island’s teen room, including painting and purchasing new materials and equipment for the club’s programming.
“WellCare’s support makes a world of difference in our efforts to ensure that our children have every opportunity to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens,” said Chad Cabral, CEO of Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Boys &Girls Club of Hilo to promote better health outcomes and a brighter future for Hawaii’s next generation,” said Scott Sivik, state president of ‘Ohana Health Plan.
