Charity of Choice Check Presentation: CDPHP Employees Raise $26,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters

One year ago, CDPHP® employees selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region as their 2012 Charity of Choice. As the yearlong fundraising campaign comes to close, CDPHP is pleased to announce its employees raised $26,000 for the local non-profit.

Albany, NY (PRWEB) December 18, 2012

A year-long fundraising campaign was a big success for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, which today received a $26,000 check from employees at CDPHP. Each year, CDPHP selects a local organization as its Charity of Choice. The campaign gives employees a chance to participate in dozens of fundraisers and hands-on volunteer opportunities.

“This has been an extremely rewarding experience for everyone here at CDPHP. As a community-based health plan, we understand the significant role Big Brothers Big Sisters plays in improving the health and wellness of local children. I'm grateful to be part of a team that understands the importance of giving back to this wonderful organization,” said Dr. John Bennett, president and CEO, CDPHP.

Give a Little Time and Start Something BIG!
In addition to raising $26,000 for the local organization, two CDPHP employees made the ultimate donation of their time and became a Big Brother and a Big Sister.

Jennifer Page, a sales manager at CDPHP, saw the campaign as an opportunity to get more involved with the community. She was matched with nine-year-old “Marisa” from Schenectady.

“This has been a positive experience for me,” said Jennifer. “I'm getting involved with the community and making a difference in a child's life. I look forward to taking Marisa to the Schenectady Museum for the first time, and to the library to practice her reading.”

For Dale Wadsworth, a health care informatics analyst at CDPHP, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters had never crossed his mind before the company adopted the organization as its Charity of Choice.

“I met my little brother, age 15, about 9 months ago,” said Dale. “We have had so much fun together, as soon as we finish each outing, I can't wait to get together again. And I can see that he really looks forward to getting together also.”

Sabrina Houser, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, was astounded by CDPHP employees' sustained interest and efforts on behalf of the organization.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is overwhelmed by CDPHP's support and dedication to our mission. Your generous contribution throughout 2012 will directly impact local youth and provide them with life-changing mentoring relationships. Our work is made possible through community support and we cannot begin to express our gratitude for your belief in our agency and our kids. Thank you, CDPHP, for supporting our vision that all children achieve success in life!” said Sabrina Houser,.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the country. The organization's mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better.

National research has shown that positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have a direct and measurable impact on children's lives. Little Brothers and Sisters are:

•     46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
•     27% less likely to begin using alcohol
•     52% less likely to skip school

The third annual CDPHP Charity of Choice campaign involved nearly three dozen fundraisers, including a chili cook-off, golf tournament, pet treat bake sale, employee sports outings, and Giffy's Bar-B-Q dinners, among others.

For more information, please contact Ali Skinner at 518-605-4497.

About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 24 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/12/prweb10252392.htm