PHILADELPHIA, PA — February 14, 2023 —Independence Blue Cross (Independence) celebrates more than two decades of supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Philadelphia Region and announces a new presenting sponsorship of the RMHC Served With Love program. Served With Love, formerly known as the Guest Chef program, brings groups of volunteers into the kitchen at RMHC Philly’s Chestnut Street and Front and Erie Houses to prep and serve meals for more than 250 individuals who are staying at these facilities; while their children receive life-saving medical care.
“For more than 20 years, our Blue Crew volunteers have been serving families who come to Philadelphia to receive the best pediatric care in the world,” said Stephen P. Fera, Independence executive vice president of Public Affairs and Government Markets, who is the executive sponsor of the Blue Crew. “Through our support of the Served With Love program, we have an opportunity to help our friends at Ronald McDonald House provide comfort, hope, and nourishment for these families so they can focus on their children’s health.”
Once a month, Independence Blue Crew volunteers visit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald Houses to prepare and serve nutritious meals, like lasagna and tacos. Volunteers work under the direct supervision of the RMHC Food Service team.
“We are tremendously thankful to our longtime and invaluable partner, Independence Blue Cross,” said RMHC Philly CEO Susan Campbell. “Having served our guests for over 20 years speaks volumes to their commitment to our community and to the well-being of families and their children. Now they’ve gone above and beyond by becoming the presenting sponsor of our Served With Love program and helping us provide countless meals to families so that they can focus on their children’s health.”
The first Ronald McDonald House® opened in 1974 in Philadelphia. Ronald McDonald House Charities’ is known worldwide for its mission to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.
This year, Independence celebrates 85 years of serving the community and helping keep people well. Launched in 2001, Independence’s Blue Crew members have volunteered hundreds of thousands of hours to local causes and supported more than 100 diverse nonprofit organizations across the region, including those that are working to address food insecurity, education and literacy, and isolation and loneliness of senior citizens.
