FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 12, 2015

For more information, contact:

Lydia Martin, (225)-298-7826

Blue Cross Foundation to Grant $160,000 to Louisiana Angels

Blue Cross Foundation seeks nominees by April 3 for the 21st annual award program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation will award $160,000 to Louisiana
Angels who perform extraordinary work for Louisiana at-risk children. Nominations will
be accepted for this award until Friday, April 3, 2015. Angel Award recipients will be
recognized at a ceremony next fall.
This award is granted to eight volunteers who assist in increasing awareness of childrens
needs and providing resources to help address them. Once chosen, each winner will name
a 501(c)(3) organization to receive a grant of $20,000. Since 1995, the Foundation has
awarded more than $1.8 million to 163 individuals improving the lives of Louisiana
children.
Previous Angels represent all vocations and include retirees, students and everything in
between. They were chosen for the countless hours dedicated to their organization, while
fulfilling job requirements, studies and family duties.
An online nomination form and more details about the Angel Award are available at the
Foundations website at www.ourhomelouisiana.org or the Blue Cross website,
www.bcbsla.com/angelaward.
Nomination packets are also available by calling toll-free 1-888-219-BLUE (1-888-2192583) or emailing Angel.Award@bcbsla.com. Nominators are encouraged to send
supplemental information in support of the nomination, including testimonial letters,
brochures, news articles, photos and videos. (Please note: These materials cannot be
returned.)
Individuals who themselves have been honored as Angels make up the committee that
will decide this years winners. The following are the criteria they consider and
nominators are asked to carefully consider this list:

NEED: Did the nominee contribute a needed service to Louisiana children?

ACTION: Was the nominee active, not just a figurehead?

INITIATIVE: Did the nominee initiate new programs or activities and use new
methods to solve problems?

ACHIEVEMENT: Has the nominee accomplished desired results?

IMPACT: Has the activity or service provided by the nominee produced positive
changes and provided examples for other groups?

TIME: Was the amount of time devoted to the activity or service significant?
-more-

CHALLENGE: Did the nominee have to overcome any unusual challenges, such
as limited resources or public misperception of the problem?

A nominee may be recognized for work performed individually or through churches,

schools or civic organizations, but a group cannot be nominated. The volunteer work
must have been performed in the state of Louisiana with Louisiana children as the
primary beneficiaries. The volunteer effort can be focused on enhancing any aspect of a
childs life, including physical, emotional, creative and spiritual. Individuals who are paid
for their services are eligible, but their efforts must be considered to go above and beyond
their job descriptions. Work done on work-release time and/or for student course credit
may also be considered. Individuals may not be nominated posthumously.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation will award grants to the
honorees chosen charities that qualify as Louisiana-based nonprofit charitable
organizations with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is building a healthier
Louisiana through community outreach and charitable giving. Its two signature programs
are The Angel Award, an annual statewide recognition program that awards funds to
outstanding Louisianians working to improve the quality of life of the state's children,
and Smart Bodies, an interactive education program to prevent childhood obesity. In
addition, Blue Cross contributes nearly $2 million annually in financial aid to various
nonprofit organizations throughout the state that contribute to health, education and the
overall quality of life in our communities. When we put dollars into Blue Cross
communities, it makes Louisiana a better place for everyone. The Foundation is funded
solely through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a private,
fully taxed nonprofit company, mutually owned by policyholdersnot shareholders. It is
an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is governed
by a Louisiana Board of Directors.
The company and its subsidiaries provide group and individual health insurance plans,
life and disability insurance, group voluntary products and administrative services to
Louisiana residents. With headquarters in Baton Rouge and eight district offices around
the state, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to improving the lives
and health of all Louisianians.
Learn more on the companys website at www.bcbsla.comor visit its social media hub to
connect via Facebook, Twitter and more.
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